The ESB chief executive, Mr Ken O'Hara, remains in his post after intensive discussions on the company's strategic plan.

It is understood that a confidence motion was not put to a board meeting yesterday, although several directors are known to have expressed serious reservations in recent weeks about Mr O'Hara's performance.

In a statement, the company said: "The board had an intensive discussion on the content, deliverability and management of its strategic plan. The board re-affirmed the plan and Mr O'Hara remains as chief executive."

Both an ESB spokesman and Mr O'Hara's spokesman declined to elaborate.

It is thought crucial, however, that Mr O'Hara should secure a significant success soon.

This would signal that the strategic plan is back on track after several setbacks in recent months.

Mr O'Hara's spokesman declined to comment on an interpretation in some circles that this might pave the way to his departure.

A programme to grant 5 per cent of ESB stock to its staff was approved yesterday by the Cabinet.

The delay since 1998 in implementing that programme proved a major barrier to an ESB plan to reduce its staff to 6,000 from 8,000. However, his failure to deliver on an agreement on job reductions by the board's deadline last October and since then is understood to have been cited by directors unhappy with his performance.

The cost-cutting plan is a central element of the ESB's strategy as the power market liberalises and it faces competition.

Another factor was the overwhelming rejection by ESB network technicians of a transformation agreement necessary to upgrade the State's power network.

This is a core element of the National Development Plan, which is being monitored by a Cabinet sub-committee led by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.

Another key element of the strategy is a plan to expand the ESB's international business. It has bid to take over a power distribution business in Poland.