Norwich Union Ireland has reported a first-half pre-tax profit of £19.7 million from its life and pensions business before income and capital gains on shareholders funds are added - up from £15.6 million a year earlier. The company's general insurance business turned in a profit of £1.2 million before income and capital gains are taken into account, giving a total of £20.9 million compared with £16.6 million in the first half of 1997.

Shareholders entitled to receive a dividend will get 4.85 pence per share, following conversion from sterling to pounds, and the dividend will be paid on December 16th.