Slightly more than of the Republic's leading 500 companies have a basic e-business presence, although most of it is confined to basic websites, intranet and traditional electronic data applications, according to a new survey by international management consultants, PLAUT Consulting.

The financial and professional services sectors lead the way with manufacturing lagging behind.

"Companies recognise that great change is occurring and will increase," according to Mr Frank Noonan, general manager of PLAUT Consulting Ireland. However, the approach to date has been piecemeal. "Very few large Irish companies have made efforts to integrate e-business throughout the entire organisation," according to Mr Noonan.

The survey found that on average 70 per cent have spent more than £100,000 and over 40 per cent more than £250,000 since their e-business development started.