The Margin was interested to see that the culture of the brown paper bag is alive and well in Irish society. Like Leaving Cert examiners, those processing the Telecom Eireann share applications report that fivers and tenners were attached to many of the forms.

One intrepid applicant submitted two cheques, one for the shares and a blank one designed to guarantee his allocation. But best of all was the trusting soul who included their visa card.

But if some thought they had it sewn up, others got it badly wrong. The applications, some of which were received too late to be returned for correction, included cheques made out to An Post, Standard Life and one for thousands payable to the ESB.