Despite the fall off in technology stocks worldwide, Iona Technologies remains one of the aristocrats of the Republic's growing crop of technology firms.

Iona's elevated status was underlined this week when his Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden paid an official visit to the firm's corporate headquarters in Dublin.

Flanked by a guard, the king met Dr Chris Horn, chairman and co-founder of Iona, to exchange views and information on technology, economy and business development.