The Republic's 11 national newspapers attracted an advertising spend of £169 million (€214.6 million) in the first three quarters of this year, a 7 per cent increase on the same period in 2000.

Results from the National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) show £50 million was spent on newspaper advertising in the third quarter alone. NNI chairman, Mr Gavin O'Reilly, said the figures illustrated impressive growth, "despite the prospect of a faltering economic backdrop".

"Advertisers' confidence in newspapers as the preferred medium in which to advertise does not appear to be materially diminished," he said.

The £169 million spend represents a combination of advertising agency and classified ad revenue for the first nine months of 2001. The agencies spent £95 million, 3.5 per cent more than last year, while classified and small ads brought in revenue of £74 million, an 11 per cent increase on 2000.

Mr O'Reilly acknowledged that advertising spend for the rest of the year may not be quite so robust.