Exports fall by 1.4% in first quarter

Irish exports fell by 1.4% in the first quarter of the year.

The industry has performed well in recent times and is seen as key to our recovery.

The worst hit sector was manufacturing exports there fell by over 11% between January and March.

However, agri food exports showed strong growth of 7%, despite the horsemeat scandal; whilst the services sector exports rose by 8%.