The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) recorded an operating surplus of £1.34 million (€1.7 million) for 2000, its best performance in recent years.

The surplus for 2000 compares with a surplus of £678,000 in the previous year. Commercial income for 2000 was £6.7 million, compared with £5.3 million in the previous year. Profit was boosted by an increase in events at the RDS, including 80 exhibitions and 10 major conferences. "Last year was one of outstanding success for the RDS," chief executive Mr Shane Cleary said yesterday. "In addition to the excellent financial performance, we have added substantially to the quality of our facilities for both our members and customers."