Economists downbeat as manufacturing levels slip 3.6%

Production levels at Ireland’s manufacturing industries fell by 3.6% in February, after two consecutive months of increases.

On a year-on-year basis, February saw a 3.3% drop, broadly in line with economist expectations. The figures were published by the CSO.

February’s monthly fall followed two well-performing months — with December showing a monthly increase of 4.5% in output and January seeing a more marginal 0.8% rise.