New Ireland Assurance has had a good start to the year and in the first quarter premium new business is up 11 per cent on the same period last year, chairman Mr Jack Casey has told the group's a.g.m. He said New Ireland has a 10 per cent share of this section of the life assurance market.

Fee income and profit before tax for the first quarter at New Ireland Financial Services the financial services arm of the group - are well ahead of the comparable period in 1996, he told shareholders. He said that the sale of Irish National Insurance to Eagle Star for £30 million will be completed next week.