While the Irish business community - and industrial policymakers - have embraced the information age with some enthusiasm, there appear to be no examples in the Republic of profit-less Internet companies concentrating only on building market share.

Technology sector analysts say the main focus of such companies, on track for flotation, remains New York's Nasdaq market. But a glance at the Irish technology firms that have already gone public on that exchange shows a very different portfolio, with sales and profits the driving force.

Dublin-based CBT Systems, for example, sells educational software. As it shifts more of its business from compact disk to online delivery, it is likely to be described as "an Internet company".

Similarly, Iona Technologies, another Dublin-based Nasdaq company, produces middleware, software that makes other programs work together. It too could be described as an Internet company, as much of its commerce will take place online.

But these and other Irish firms can argue that they have never sacrificed sales for market share, and continue to build only on the basis of real, cash profits.

Other Irish Internet companies include Dublin-based Riverdeep, which makes educational software for US schools; Nua, which helps companies design websites; Webfactory, also in Dublin, which develops complete Internet solutions for the corporate sector; Inflow Communications, in Donegal town, which designs and manufactures Internet security solutions; and CR2, in Dublin, which makes Internet banking software.

Enterprise Ireland, the Government agency charged with overseeing indigenous firms, pointed out this week that none of these follow the pattern set down by the high-growth, high-loss Net firms.