Marked decline in merger and acquisition activity

The first quarter of 2013 saw a marked decline in Ireland-related merger and acquisition activity; with the volume of deals falling by over 54% and the value decreasing by 34.5%, compared with the same period last year.

However, according to Wendy Driver — business manager at information services provider Experian which has published the data — the Ireland-related figures are mirroring a wider trend being seen throughout Europe at present, and the first quarter is unlikely to be representative of the coming year as a whole.

“There was strong performance in the Republic’s burgeoning technology, software and pharmaceuticals sectors, which look likely to continue to provide the bulk of M&A activity as we move into the second quarter,” she noted.