Eircell, the State mobile phone operator, posted net profits of £979,000 for the year to the end of April, 1997, according to documents filed with the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation.

The company's turnover was £160.5 million and its operating profit was £3.64 million. It is the first time the company's accounts have been separated from those of its parent, Telecom Eireann. The accounts show that the company's chief executive, Mr Stephen Brewer, was on a pay package of £146,000. The company values its assets at £87.4 million.

The company paid interest of £2 million on its serviceable debt of £39 million.

In the year to April 1997, Eircell wrote off £10 million for its licence fee. The company`s operational expenses were £108 million. Sales and marketing accounted for £12.1 million and administration costs were £3.4 million.