'Three in four' professionals could leave Ireland

Three in four professionals could leave Ireland in the next three years, a new report has claimed.

The report by Hays Recruitment claims the exodus will come about if the country's economic situation does not improve.

Hays surveyed 2,173 people from the IT, accountancy and engineering sectors regarding emigration, with over a third of those surveyed having already left the country over the last three years.

Three in five of those who have moved away say the quality of life is better where they now reside.