The last few months have been kind to the Republic's emerging crop of hi-tech entrepreneurs. Among those who have seen their personal wealth soar are the Maguire brothers, founders of electronic payments software company, Trintech.

Mr Cyril (39) and Mr John (37) Maguire retained a 37 per cent stake when the company floated last autumn. That was worth nearly $1.2 billion (#1.25 billion) based on the company's market capitalisation yesterday.

Mr Fran Rooney, chief executive of e-commerce security company Baltimore Technologies, is also worth a lot more than this time last year. He sold 150,000 shares in the group for more than $3.7 million when the company took a Nasdaq listing last October.

Cork businessman, Mr Samir Naji (37), who set up a computer services business 11 years ago, garnered £6.2 million (#7.9 million) from the sale of shares when his Horizon Computer Group was floated last December. His remaining 34 million shares were worth some #433.5 million at yesterday's closing price.

UCD Commerce graduate, Mr Philip Berber (41), netted more than $250 million for himself and his family from the sale of his Texas-based electronic trading brokerage earlier this year.