Why are Republic of Ireland football managers paid so well? That’s just one of the questions Ciarán puts to FAI finance director Eamon Breen on this week’s podcast. He talks about where the association is investing its money in the sport, the debt it is currently carrying and he reveals how much money the businessman Denis O’Brien contributed to the FAI's finances over the years.

Plus: Cliff Taylor explains why the corporate tax take was up last month and why a surprise budget surplus looks to be on the cards. He also has the latest on what’s been happening on the Brexit front.

But first, Peter Hamilton has a roundup of some of the other stories making headlines this week, including the sad tale of the collapse of the Orla Kiely brand, Ryanair’s new ultra-low cost Eastern European subsidiary and the boomtastic menu at chef Dylan McGrath’s new D4 venture.