That is, conflicts of interest, unethical business practices, and undisclosed compensation agreements that are pervasive in pension investment management undermine the integrity of pension investment processes and detrimentally impact performance.

FORBES: PBGC Should Investigate Causes of Pension Failures

"We know from questions asked in the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey that displays of flags detrimentally affect people's use of facilities and shops in certain areas, " he said.

BBC: 'Hundreds of flags' on NI lampposts after summer

But the bitter infighting between the WRU and the regions - that escalated due to Welsh player release for the autumn Tests - and the concluding court battle gives the impression that relationships between the two parties have been detrimentally affected.

BBC: Lewis remains positive after row

Not only did the agency confirm that conflicts of interest involving pension consultants are pervasive, involving trillions in assets under advisement, and that these conflicts result in billions in damages, but the report went on to point out that neither the SEC, DOL nor PBGC is focused upon pursuing these conflicts that detrimentally impact pension performance.

FORBES: GAO Report Estimates Cost of Pension Consultant Conflicts: 1.3% of $4.5 trillion. (July 1, 2007)