Swedish telecoms equipment maker Ericsson had no comment yesterday on reports it would announce more job cuts to return to profitability amid slowing global demand. The Financial Times said Ericsson would announce further sackings of 6,000 people when it releases its first-quarter results on Friday to follow cuts announced in March.

Ericsson employs 2,500 people in Ireland at plants in Dublin and Athlone, Co Westmeath. Almost half of Ericsson's 2,500 employees here are engaged in R&D, about 5 per cent of the total R&D staff in the group.