Hibernian Group brought a group of brokers on a golfing and football trip to Scotland last weekend. Its spokeswoman rejected any suggestion that such hospitality could compromise the brokers, who must offer independent financial advice to their clients.

She said: "It was not an incentive trip. It was a thank-you for support last year." The spokeswoman was unable to say how many brokers went on the trip. She believed the figure was "less than 20". Neither could she reveal Hibernian's expenditure on the trip. This was "nominal", she claimed. The brokers were brought golfing to the Turnbury club and attended the Celtic-Rangers soccer match.

The chief executive of the Irish Brokers' Association, Mr Paul Carty, said such entertainment did not contravene its guidelines. Brokers are obliged, however, to reveal to their customers that they have been entertained. They are also obliged to reveal the monetary value of such entertainment to their clients. Once that is done, Mr Carty has no difficulty with groups offering such entertainment.