October exports at €17.8bn suggest better economic conditions

CSO release comes after speculation that multinationals could continue to face slowing demand in Europe and beyond

A view of the containers at the Port of Cork's container terminal at Ringaskiddy in Cork Harbour. Picture: Dan Linehan

Exports were little changed in October from a year earlier, raising hopes that the worst of the fallout from the slowing global economy could be in the past, official figures suggest.

The Central Statistics Office release comes after an intense focus in recent months on whether the multinationals, including the pharma and ICT giants, that account for a huge slice by value of all Irish exports would continue to face slowing demand in markets in Europe and beyond.