One More Thing:Mike Soden, above, must have allowed himself a wry smile yesterday when his former employer Bank of Ireland announced the extension of its post office joint venture in the UK to 2020.

The deal was unveiled in late 2003, under Soden's watch. At the time, he said it would mark the beginning of a new chapter for Bank of Ireland in the UK market. Soden's abrupt departure the following year meant it fell to his successor, Brian Goggin, to move the project on.

After much scepticism, both within and outside the bank it must be said, it looks like Soden might finally be proved right in his analysis of the deal.

The joint venture has one million customers - as many as the bank has in Ireland. It has also just entered the black and will be "modestly profitable" this year.

Perhaps, like many have suggested will be the case with Charlie Haughey, history will be kind to Soden.