On acquisitions

Acquisitions are a people business. People who sell a business they have built up feel like they are giving away a part of their life. They want to sell to people they will get on with and who will maintain their ethos.

On the household products business

It may not be the most glamorous part of the world of commerce, but it's a durable market, an expanding market and a worldwide market.

People use these products even in times of recession.

Why IWP gave up manufacturing screws and nails

Ireland was starting to become a free market. Manufacturing products where you had to import the raw materials and export the product was no longer viable.

On Europe

Less than 10 per cent of our business is in Ireland. Irish people can run a business and deal with people in other countries as well as any other nation.

Europe is now the home.

On the euro

As a man in the deodorant business, I say "roll on the euro".

The greatest challenge facing IWP

The greatest challenge is getting the right people, the right management and getting a structure where they can express themselves and be properly rewarded.

What makes him angry

People not delivering on time and on promises.

His advice to young entrepreneurs Go for it.

On the economy

We have come through boom and bust in the 1970s and 1980s and nearly always bust was preceded by inflation and high rates of bank interest. But the government has learnt that inflation must be kept under control.