Eircom is to delay the flotation of its multi-media assets until early next year due to the high level of corporate activity at the company, according to the chief executive Mr Alfie Kane. He declined to say if this included the search for a new partner to replace KPN and Telia, the company's existing strategic partners who are exiting.

Mr Kane confirmed the Golden Pages subsidiary would be included in the bundle of companies being floated to give the new entity a sound revenue generating base. The business information service and directory company has a revenue stream of around £40 million (€51 million) a year.