Telecommunications group, Cable and Wireless, has recorded strong growth in its Irish operations.

Sales grew by 14 per cent to £22.3 million in the year to March 31st 1998. Operating profit rose by 53 per cent to £1.1 million while net profit jumped by 176 per cent to £470,000.

Mr Eddie Brennan, managing director of the Irish operations, told The Irish Times the company benefited from the buoyant economy and the development of call centres. Similar growth in revenue and profits is expected this year. Mr Brennan noted that his company has recently obtained an infrastructure licence from the regulator which would allow it to develop an infrastructure network. However, the company expects to adopt a cautious approach in exploiting this licence.

Cable and Wireless Plc, the parent company, is Britain's second biggest telecoms group. Announcing its results it said the company's network would extend to every major European city by the end of the year as it beat market forecasts with a 13 per cent rise in underlying annual profits.

Profits before tax, and £587 million sterling of exceptional items, rose to £1.6 billion on a 16 per cent rise in group turnover to just over £7 billion