WE'RE certainly a long way from becoming a "share holding democracy" if the register of interests of our political leaders is anything to go by. Among Dail TDs, the vast majority own no shares at all.

One of the few punters in the market is Dessie O'Malley, who will have experienced mixed fortunes with a portfolio including Bank of Ireland, Cable & Wireless, Grand Metropolitan and Heineken.

Brian Cowen, who got into some hot water over his holding of Arcon shares when in government, is obviously playing it safe. He now holds no shares at all.