Sadly, the most promising Christmas party of the year - that is, the one that most promised the likelihood of fisticuffs or at least some hurled insults - ended up being an entirely diplomatic affair.

And The Margin had arrived at the Shelbourne Hotel for the annual festive do of the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation with such high hopes of a fracas. After all, gather together around 200 of the telecoms industry's high and mighty - all those people who attack each other constantly at the meeting table, through the media and in the courts - and one really does anticipate some blood-letting.

But alas, Etain Doyle presided with stately bearing, and the tables full of telecombat generals exchanged pleasantries over a buffet supper and much wine. Ah, the season of good will and good cheer.