Eircom enters talks with two new parties

The board of Eircom has written to Denis O'Brien and Tony O'Reilly to request final pitches for its fixed line business.

O'Brien's eIsland consortium is now "considering its options" having earlier declared that the deadline on its bid had expired.

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and from Blackstone Communications Partners ILP - both Americn companies have now entered talks with Eircom about the sale.

Eircom said in a statement: "Discussions with both parties in relation to these approaches are at a very preliminary stage and there can be no assurance that these discussions will result in an acceptable, or any, offer for the company.