Fresh enquiries are under way into suspected top-up payments at another four state-funded bodies as the investigation into bonuses for senior managers at voluntary hospitals and agencies is set to widen.

THE Health and Safety Authority was spending almost €1 million a year on consultants during the boom but reduced the bill by 80% when its budget was cut.

BOARD members of the Irish National Stud and chairwoman Chryss O’Reilly are in a battle to retain their prestigious positions.