This year there should be a number of new additions to the Irish stock list.

Telecommunications company Esat Telecom is expected to come to the Dublin market some time this year. It has been suggested that it is now more likely to seek a listing in the second half of the year. Esat is already listed on the Nasdaq and at the time of its flotation the shares were in strong demand.

Like most telecommunications companies it will be some time before it expects to make money for investors, but much will depend on whether it can clinch an interconnector agreement with other telecommunications operators.

If this is achieved, the company will have overcome a major hurdle and its prospects will look brighter. It will remain a high risk play though and could have the potential to offer high rewards in the future.