Bathroom products manufacturer Qualceram paid its chief executive John O'Loughlin a total remuneration package worth €331,000 in 2006.

This represented an increase of less than 4 per cent on the previous year and - as with all other directors - Mr O'Loughlin did not receive a bonus either year.

On top of a basic salary of €262,000, Qualceram made pension contributions of €52,000 on Mr O'Loughlin's behalf and also rewarded him with benefits in kind to the value of €17,000.

Aidan Clince, who joined the board as managing director of Shires (Ireland) last September, was paid €60,000 for the portion of the year he held this position.

Mr Clince's predecessor, Brendan Whooley - still an executive director - was paid €263,000, compared to €228,000 in 2005.

Production and technical director Thomas Byrne received a package worth €259,000, comprising a salary of €201,000, pension contributions of €40,000 and benefits in kind of €18,000.

Sales director John Byrne and finance director David Swords were paid a total of €249,000 and €238,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, the total remuneration paid to the company's three non-executive directors rose by €8,000 to €140,000 last year.

Chairman Peter Addison was the highest paid non-executive director, receiving €69,000 last year. Seán Donnelly was paid a consultancy fee of €6,000 on top of a basic salary of €32,000.

Qualceram's annual general meeting takes place next Friday, June 8th.