Senior NTL executives said yesterday it was "too early to say" when the group would restart its introduction of digital television and broadband Internet services in the Republic. Mr Stephen Carter, NTL chief operating officer in the UK, said the company would report its decision by late February following a review of Irish operations.

He said there was no basis in rumours that NTL would sell off its Galway and Waterford operations to pay for the introduction of digital services in Dublin.

His comments were made following a meeting with telecoms regulator, Ms Etain Doyle.