For the markets, it is again a week when the will he-won't he uncertainty over Bush and Iraq will dominate. The nervy sentiment that saw the price of oil shoot up briefly last Friday following an accidental fire on an oil barge off New York emphasises the underlying lack of faith in the relevance of the usual fundamental building blocks.

At home, there is plenty to occupy the corporate sector. The management of Alphyra and Riverdeep will get some indication of the prospects for their attempts to take the companies private.

A number of companies report results including kerry Group and Fyffes in the agribusiness sector and the parents of Ulster Bank and Bank of Scotland (Ireland) in the financials. Paddy Power will also unveil what are expected to be bullish figures.