Seán Quinn, business tycoon

The "mighty Quinn" has suffered an annus horribilis, culminating with the decision by the financial regulator to place his insurance business into administration last Tuesday.

True to form, however, he has attacked the move in various media interviews and in a letter sent directly to government ministers.

Meanwhile, it has also emerged that Anglo Irish Bank, which last week recorded the biggest loss in Irish corporate history of €12.7bn for the 15 months to December 2009, has set aside money to cover potential losses on loans owed by the Quinn Group.

It owes Anglo about €2.8 billion.

Padraig Walshe, IFA leader

Completed his term as president of the farmers organisation last January.

Replaced by former Garda John Bryan from Kilkenny, who has continued to campaign to secure a better deal for farmers.

Brian Goggin, Former Bank of Ireland Chief Executive

Stepped down from his post in February of last year after almost 40 years with the bank. The Cork native, who is in his late 50s, was hospitalised last April after suffering a suspected heart attack.

Turlough O'Sullivan, Director General, IBEC

Announced his plans to retire in March of last year after nine years as head of the main business and employer body. Replaced by Danny McCoy.

David Begg, General secretary ICTU

Still in his job leading the country's most influential coalition of unions. Could face an uphill battle to garner support for the public sector pay and reform deal reached with government negotiators last week.

Mary Harney, Former PD leader

Held onto her job as minister for health in the recent government reshuffle. Attracted strong criticism last month for refusing to return from a 15-day St Patrick's day visit to New Zealand at the height of a misdiagnosis scandal at Tallaght hospital. Expected to stand down at next general election.

John Hurley, Former Central Bank governor

Retired last September and replaced by Patrick Honohan. Due to be interviewed as part of Honohan's preliminary inquiry into the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator.

Patrick Neary, Former financial regulator

Stepped down from his €291,000-a-year post in January 2009 and was replaced by Matthew Elderfield, former head of financial regulation in Bermuda.

Also due to be interviewed by Honohan, whose report is expected to be submitted to government next month.

Seán Dunne, Property Developer

Recently forced to hand over a majority stake in his landmark Ballsbridge site to the banks behind the €375m purchase of the Jurys and Berkeley Court hotels in 2005. He put €125m of his own money into the deal. Remains in serious financial trouble, although much of the money he owes was provided by financial institutions which are not part of Nama.

Finbarr Fitzpatrick, IHCA general secretary

Still in his role, and continues to advocate on behalf of Irish hospital consultants.

Mark Fitzgerald, Sherry fitzgerald CEO

The son of former Taoiseach Garret, he continues to head up one of Ireland's leading estate agents.

Dermot Gleeson, AIB chairman

Stepped down from his post last June, and received €203,000 in fees in 2009 compared with €475,00 the previous year. His name has featured prominently during recent hearings of the Moriarty tribunal, relating to his time as Attorney General in the 1990s.

Lar Bradshaw, Former Anglo Director and DDDA chairman

Being pursued for outstanding loans of €27m which he received from the state-owned bank. Meanwhile, he could face further uncomfortable questions about his time at the DDDA if, as he has indicated, environment minister John Gormley decides to order further investigations into the body.

Bernard McNamara, Property Speculator

Hit the headlines when he announced to the nation, in a recent RTÉ radio interview, that he was "broke".

One of 10 developers who are going into Nama.

Dan McLaughlin, Bank of Ireland Chief Economist

Still in his post, and providing economic commentary on behalf of his employer.

Marc Coleman, Economics journalist

Newstalk's economics editor. Currently presents his own weekly "Coleman at Large" show on that station.

Eugene Sheehy, AIB group chief executive

Received a package of €892,000 from the start of last year until his retirement from the bank in November. This compared with €1.15m a year earlier.

David Drumm, Former group CEO of Anglo Irish Bank

Currently living in Cape Cod, USA. Anglo issued legal proceedings against him last November in an attempt to recover loans of €8.3m, including €7.7m owing on loans provided to buy shares in the bank which became worthless after its nationalisation.

Has claimed in court documents that he was advised by the bank's chairman Donal O'Connor to relocate to the US after resigning from the bank in order to avoid the "blame culture" in Ireland and Britain.

Tom Parlon, CIF chief and former politician

The man formerly in charge of the Office of Public Works is still in his new post, and still arguing the case for the construction industry. Hit the headlines last year after this newspaper revealed that he ran up an expense bill of over €316,000 during his time as a junior minister.

Bertie Ahern, Former Taoiseach

Did not hang around long in the Dáil chamber last week as Brian Lenihan outlined the true scale of the banking crisis to shocked deputies. Sought and received the artists' tax exemption for his recent autobiography. Received a ministerial pension of almost €100,000 last year on top of his earnings as a TD.

Seán Fitzpatrick, Former Anglo Irish Bank CEO and chairman

The smooth-talking former bank chief was arrested and held for questioning at Bray garda station last month, prompting a flurry of media interest. He was held for over 30 hours before being released without charge, amid reports that a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Charlie McCreevy, Former EU commissioner

Stepped down as Irish EU commissioner this year, and was replaced by Maire Geoghegan Quinn. Received a generous "golden handshake" from his former job, which is government appointed. Refused to respond when asked by this newspaper if he would give up his TD and ministerial pension of more than €125,000 in 2008, which he received on top of his €228,000 commissioner's salary.

Brian Cowen, Taoiseach

Currently Taoi­seach, but his leader­ship has come under intense pressure in recent weeks amid poor poll ratings and growing discontent among backbenchers.