Shares in Oracle, one of the world's biggest software companies, fell 30 per cent yesterday in very heavy trading, as investors responded to disappointing second quarter results and warnings that its business in Asia was being disrupted by the economic turmoil there. The strength of the dollar against falling Asian currencies had sharply reduced earnings from the region in the quarter, and economic problems in countries such as Japan and Korea were expected to lead to a decline in sales in the coming months, the US company said.

Oracle has a major telemarketing and customer support centre for the European market in the East Point Park in Dublin, a European localisation centre in Dublin and a local sales force.

They employ around 200 people in Ireland, with plans to built up to 500 people over the coming years.