THREE inebriated life insurance salesmen, propping up a bar counter, were comparing respective techniques in convincing the potential source of commission to sign along the dotted line. The first says: "I impress them by saying that the company will look after them from the cradle to the grave.

The second counters with: "The punter is all smiles on hearing that we provide cover from the womb to the tomb". The third, hesitating momentarily, says: "I can beat that. They always reach for the pen on my assurance that the company insures from the erection to the resurrection. An apocryphal tale, no doubt. In present circumstances, it's a fair bet none were Irish Life employees.