Reports in yesterday's editions incorrectly stated that if one in 10 of those on the electoral register opted to buy Telecom Eireann shares, the maximum allocation to each would be little more than £500 worth. The correct figure, based on the assumption in the reports that up to £1 billion worth of shares are likely to be offered to the public, is £3,571.

The Government said yesterday its position was that any comment on the likely allocation of shares was purely speculative at this time since no Government decision had been made yet on the offer size or structure and the level of demand for the shares from the public had yet to be ascertained.