The Irish market made steady if unspectacular gains, supported by the firmer tone on international markets. But the biggest gains were notched up by Irish technology stocks which rebounded from the current low levels. They were boosted by the big early gains on Nasdaq and the strong performance on the specialist technology markets in Europe.

In Dublin, the biggest volumes were in the two big banks and Eircom, all of which closed firmer. Eircom was three cents higher on €2.68, its best level of the year, as Vodafone edged higher in London. Dealers, however, do not expect Eircom to trade much higher until it becomes clear what is going to happen to the fixed-line business - now the focus of two competing indicative offers.

Among the financials, AIB jumped 20 cents to €12.40 while Bank of Ireland was 29 cents higher on €10.81, with both banks trading in excess of two million shares. Anglo Irish was 11 cents higher on €3.71 while Irish Life added 12 cents to €12.40.

CRH gained 48 cents to €18.98, helped by its latest acquisition - the $154 million Mount Hope business in New Jersey. Ryanair gained 44 cents to €11.82 while Smurfit gained three cents to €2.1 0. Marlborough edged 10 cents higher to €0.70 as investors wait to see how much the MBO group will offer to take the group private.

Baltimore and Parthus traded heavily in London with Baltimore closing 3-1/2p higher on 81-1/4p sterling while Parthus put in a strong performance with a 14p jump to 110-1/2p sterling. On Nasdaq, most Irish stocks were higher with Iona the pick of the bunch, trading almost 10 per cent higher by midday to $42.21.