Irish consumers will be able to trade Irish, British and US stocks online for the first time using a service introduced yesterday by Goodbody Stock brokers.

The service ( www.good body.ie) which cost some £2 million (€2.54 million) to develop, will initially be targeted at existing private clients at Goodbodys but will be extended to new clients shortly.

Each online trade will cost clients £25. Commission will be charged at a rate of 1.25 per cent for trades up to £20,000.

A minimum investment of £1,000 is required to register with the site.