They lost approximately fifteen million euros in the pervious year.

Worldwide, some 56 percent of respondents said they trusted business, up from 54 percent the pervious year.

Revenue took in €33.2 billion in net tax and duty last year, down almost €8 billion on the pervious year.

The postal service's operating profit before exceptional items increased to €29.1 million compared with €14.7 million during the pervious year.

GNP grew by 2.8 per cent to the end of September when compared with the first nine months of the pervious year.

Aer Lingus passenger numbers grew by 7.6 per cent in June 2008 to 958,000 people compared with the same month the pervious year.

Small and medium sized firms are less optimistic about the business climate than in pervious years, according to an Isme survey released today.