Cost of labour hinders Irish exports

Cost pressures, skills shortages and a potential ‘Brexit’ are among the chief risks Irish exporters currently face, according to the head of their representative body.

Irish Exporters Association (IEA) chief executive, Simon McKeever said exporters’ cost base remains an issue with energy costs and rates compounding the cost of labour which remains the biggest issue.

A lack of skills across a host of support roles which, together, form the foundation of other industries is also hampering exporting firms progress, he said.