Eir stays silent on reports of Setanta Sports takeover

Diversified telecommunications group Eir has said it is open to partaking in merger and acquisition activity, over a wide range of areas, but has declined to comment on reports linking it to a takeover of broadcaster Setanta Sports.

The recently renamed group, formerly Eircom, yesterday reported further financial and operational progress for the first quarter of its current financial year and said it holds ambition to maintain growth in a fiercely competitive market.

When asked yesterday about recent reports suggesting the telecom is in advanced talks to acquire Setanta Sports, Eir chief executive, Richard Moat said management was not in a position to react to speculation.