Each vote to count if board votes on O'Connor

The Bord na Mona saga is entering its final chapter. After seven meetings, the board apart from Dr O'Connor has now concluded that the managing director's pay package definitely breached Government guidelines. The fax with this information arrived on Minister Lowry's desk last night.

Mr Lowry may let the board meet again to vote on the no confidence motion. He has already indicated that he wants the board to deal with the issue. He may now believe that the board will vote in favour of the no confidence motion, particularly with chairman Mr Pat Dineen having the casting vote.

However, it may be that the board may not have to vote. It would surely now be in the interests of both sides to reach a settlement. Otherwise the issue will end up in an acrimonious board meeting and ultimately in court.

The tabling of a motion of no confidence highlights the desire of some of the non employee board members to push the issue to a conclusion.

However, there are also those on the board who would prefer the Minister to take any difficult decisions.

Dr O'Connor can also point to a damaging campaign of leaks against him. Early this morning he pointed to the "intolerable pressure being put on the board.

Every vote and abstention may count, if the issue goes to a vote today. Both sides may prefer an agreed settlement before it goes to a vote. But it remains to be seen if one can be reached.