The ISEQ made 46.65 points to stand at 9999.85 mid-morning.
CRH was the biggest riser, up €1.05 (3.2%) to €34.20.
Irish Life and Permanent was up 28c (1.2%) at €22.98. Anglo Irish Bank slipped 6c to €16.39.
Bank of Ireland was the morning’s busiest share and fell 5c to €18.44. Allied Irish Bank was unchanged at €23.95.
The ISEQ ETF 20 shares were up 20c (1%) at €19.88.
FBD gained 20c to €42.90.
IAWS was up 20c (1.1%) at €18.90.
Ryanair gained 14c (1.1%) to €12.50.
Elan was unchanged at €11.15, despite announcing full-year and fourth-quarter results this morning.