Delegates at the ISME annual get-together in Waterford were effusive in their support for the organisation's former chief executive Frank Mulcahy.

Mr Mulcahy, now director of communications after a long period of internal strife in the small and medium enterprises representative body, told the conference that the last five months had been a "living hell".

He confessed to suggesting to fellow directors at one point during the wrangling that the organisation's name be changed from ISME to ISNTME.

One delegate, looking to the future, insisted the organisation should not waste any more time on the recent rows. ISME should stick to its strengths, he said, adding to loud cheers from delegates, that these included kicking "the banks asses". Who says ISME is changing?