ONO

Allied Irish Bank will spend almost 40m euros (£33m) on bonuses for its executives this month, despite being on the brink of another bail out from the Irish government.

According to the Irish Independent, about 2,400 staff will receive cheques for a deferred 2008 bonus on 17 December. Those who are contractually entitled to the payment will pocket an average of €16,700 (£14,000) each.

The bonuses were withheld in 2008 as part of the Irish government's bank guarantee scheme.

They are now being paid out as a result of trader John Foy's successful legal action against the bank, which resulted in it having to pay him a deferred bonus of 161,000 euros (£134,000).

As many as 90 employees in AIB's capital markets division have issued similar legal proceedings in the courts claiming the bonuses were agreed before the economic crash.

Last year staff received 54.9m euros (£45m) in bonuses.

'Bail out'

The move is likely to enrage members of the public and the bank's shareholders, who have watched share prices tumble from 23.95 euros (£20) to just 50 cent in the last two years.

AIB has already received 3.5bn euros (£2.9bn) of Irish tax-payers' money as part of a bail out package from the government and is set to receive a further cash injection from a 10bn euros recapitalisation fund.

Barry O'Leary from the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) in Ireland labelled the pay-out "bizarre".

He said he wished the IDA had that sort of money to repair the country's tarnished reputation on the international scene.

The bonus payout is a significant chunk of the bank's market value these days, with the stock exchange estimating its total value at 540m euros (£45.2m).

The move comes just one day after the Republic's finance minister, Brian Lenihan, said he thought it was unlikely bonuses would be paid out for some time at the banks.

He said until the banks were profitable again and made a "return'' to the taxpayer, he did not think any bonuses would be sanctioned.

Critics of AIB have accused it of being arrogant and in denial throughout the Irish financial crisis.

In July 2008, as the storm clouds were gathering, the bank chose not to conserve capital but instead announced a 10% dividend payout saying its "funding and capital positions are expected to remain robust".

Then finance director John O'Donnell said: "Even in a very, very stressed position, we would not anticipate that our dividend would be threatened or that we would have to go to our shareholders."

By October, AIB'S chief executive Eugene Sheehy went even further saying he would "rather die than raise equity".

Honestly; you could not make this stuff up.

For those down south - are AIB still up shit creek?

Trying to do research on the only computer that works in the house, and people around you talking absolute bollocks.

Len Ganley, the ex-snooker referee. He used to walk about Belfast like a celebrity because he refereed a World Championship final. Smug old tosser.

Wow.

How can an over the hill manager, unable to motivate anyone around him, even the fans play a key role in our future? Absolute madness. O'Leary mark 11 - Hiding away in the dugout and the constant romanticising about times gone by at another club. It is absolutely embarrassing and every Liverpool fan are laughing at us.

I hate Heartbeat. Not the bodily function, that's great. The hideous excuse for a program. I caught a tiny bit of Miranda ages ago. WORST. PROGRAM. EVER.

Believe me - BBC3 programs are a lot worse than that. Sky's Britains 'ardest man for instance. Grown men trying to push each other off this short podium onto about 20 mats?

The players on Deal or no Deal that think they have a system and then spend the whole programme talking shite. It's a game of chance and you can't influence what's in the boxes. Just pick a number and then decide to deal when you're happy with the ammount. Oh and dont get upset when there's more in your box than you dealt for. Don't deal if you think you'll regret the concequences. Rant over.

The contestants full stop. "Don't pick me I can feel a big one" the big one is your aching arse from last night love.

How about we just hold hands and get a positive vibe going?

I'm sure that will change the box you chuck away from being the £100,000 to the 1p.

When I see them holding hands I honestly want to chuck the TV out the window. It is 100x worse when they then start chanting "Blue, blue, blue".

Also, when they pick a box and say the 250k comes out they turn around and say "I KNEW IT!"

You wouldn't see some of our defensive mistakes in a school play ground.

to the tune of "if you're happy and you know it clap your hands"

IF YOU'D RATHER BE IN LIVERPOOL **** OFF

IF YOU'D RATHER BE IN LIVERPOOL **** OFF

IF YOU'D RATHER BE IN POOL

YOU WON'T TAKE ME FOR A FOOL

IF YOU'D RATHER BE IN LIVERPOOL **** OFF

Fantastic mate.

The players on Deal or no Deal that think they have a system and then spend the whole programme talking shite. It's a game of chance and you can't influence what's in the boxes. Just pick a number and then decide to deal when you're happy with the ammount. Oh and dont get upset when there's more in your box than you dealt for. Don't deal if you think you'll regret the concequences. Rant over.

The contestants full stop. "Don't pick me I can feel a big one" the big one is your aching arse from last night love.

If this joke is kept on after this fiasco I'll be changing my Christmas box from three trips to the Villa to getting a new laptop. Maybe when my birthday comes round he'll be out on his ear.

Noel Edmonds.

Oh, and General what about him shaking hands with Liverpool fans, smiling and signing autographs? Yet he constantly ignores Villa fans who travelled 100 miles singing whilst getting beat 3-0?

What has this club actually became? A laughing stock.

Do the board have the cajones to get rid of a man who disrespected this great club in full view of everyone watching Sky Sports 1?

Do the board think Houllier is doing a good job? 6th, 6th, 6th to relegation fodder. Work that one out.

Mr. Krulak would you tell your troops there is no shame in being beaten by the other side, because you like them?

Simple answer NO! Talk about being disrespectful. He sits in that dugout like David O'Dreary. I'm sick to the back teeth of hearing him mention Liverpool in every single interview. He doesn't want to be here and the majority of fans don't want him either. Simple solution. Get rid and go all out for Coyle or Jol. But we all know Lerner won't sack Houllier.