20,000 new cars bought in March; sales up 30% this year so far

More than 20,000 new cars were licensed in March, and new car sales in the first three months of the year were up in total by 30%.

The number of imported used cars also rose by more than 8% compared with the same period in 2015.

And there are further signs of an economic recovery with Irish flights increasing by 13% last month.

March was a bumper month as passengers travelled for St Patrick's day and the Easter bank holiday.

The chief executive of the Irish Aviation Authority Eamonn Brennan said we are seeing a return to sustained growth at all the State's airports.

Last month, flights in Dublin were up by 11%, Cork grew by 12% and there was an 8% increase recorded at Shannon Airport.