Bank of Ireland's interim results for 2015 show that the bank recorded an underlying profit of €1.2bn - an increase of 30% over the previous year.

The bank remains Ireland's largest lender, providing €6.9 billion of new credit to personal and business customers in 2015.

Bank of Ireland said all of its trading divisions were profitable during the year, while it has also continued to strengthen its capital position.

It now aims to recommence dividend repayments during the first half of 2017

In a statement, the bank said the dividend would be at a modest level, and will "prudently and progressively" build over time towards a payout ratio of around 50% of sustainable earnings.