A successful bid by Sir Tony O'Reilly for Eircom's fixed-line operations would see him adding a mainstream telecoms firm to commercial interests ranging from newspapers to luxury consumer goods.

Sir Tony, who received a knighthood in the British New Year Honours List for services to Northern Ireland, is a former international rugby player. Born in Dublin on May 7th, 1936, he attended University College Dublin and the Incorporated Law Society, qualifying as a solicitor. He later obtained a PhD in agri-marketing at the University of Bradford and was general manager of An Bord Bainne from 1962 to 1966, and managing director of Bord Siucre Eireann and Erin Foods from 1966 to 1969. But it was through his association with HJ Heinz that he built his international reputation and much of his massive wealth. He became managing director of the multinational's UK operations in 1969, rising to chief executive of Heinz worldwide 10 years later. He stepped down as non-executive chairman last year. The O'Reilly family interests include Independent News and Media and Waterford Wedgwood.