Difficult year expected for Irish industries

Enterprise Ireland has said trading conditions in Ireland will be difficult this year.

In its end-of-year statement for 2001, the body said indigenous Irish industries performed well, despite the impact of foot-and-mouth disease in Britain and the attacks on the US.

Exports from indigenous industries rose 5% in 2001, while employment grew by 1,000.

However, Enterprise Ireland chief executive Dan Flinter said market conditions will be tough in the first half of 2002.