THE independent directors of Irish Continental Group (ICG), dealing with the proposed sale of the ferry and freight services business, are to — as anticipated — request the Irish Takeover Panel (ITP) to impose a deadline by which the Moonduster consortium must make a formal bid for the group.

IRISH Continental Group chief executive Eamonn Rothwell saw his pay sail 40% higher in 2007 after he pocketed a bonus of close to €1 million.

IRISH Continental Group (ICG), which operates Irish Ferries, has been given High Court approval to reconvene meetings where its shareholders will be asked to approve a scheme to allow the company be taken over by Aella.