RSA Ireland targeting return to profit this year

British insurer RSA is targeting a return to profit in its Irish operations this year, after reporting a 61.5% rise in operating losses for 2016.

While 2016 was a strong year for RSA on a group basis, its Irish business showed an underwriting loss of £49m (€58m), up from £35m, and a jump from £26m to £42m in operating losses.

RSA said the headline underwriting loss in Ireland was “disappointing” but the current year underwriting result has returned to profit with a £30m year-on-year improvement.