Kenny: Retail sector facing major challenges

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has admitted that the Irish retail sector faces major challenges after new figures showing a further fall in retail sales.

CSO figures released yesterday showed that retail sales dropped by 1.6% between December and January.

Sales in department stores were down by 18%.

Mr Kenny said he was well aware of the challenges being faced by retail businesses.

However Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the Government doesn't seem to realise the scale of the difficulties being faced by retailers.

"With the greatest of respect, your head must be in the sand if you are suggesting that there have been no jobs lost in the retail sector," Deputy Martin told the Taoiseach in the Dáil this morning.

"Thousands of jobs have been lost in the retail sector.

"There is not a town in Ireland where you (won't) walk any street and see shops closed."