ISEQ holding up

The ISEQ index of Irish shares remained in positive territory during early trading this morning, up 11.30 to 2,321.83 by 11.30am despite banking shares remaining unsettled amid the continuing debate over government plans to buy bad debts.

Banking stocks topped the fallers' board, with AIB shedding 11c to 1.10 and Bank of Ireland down 8c to 0.82. Irish Life & Permanent however bucked the trend, cheering 5c to 1.85.