The annual inflation rate hit 2.2% in March (its highest level in four years) as consumer prices rose for the second month.

THE latest figures from the CSO show that between January 2005 and June 2011, the price of the average new house in Ireland fell by 24.3%.

CAR sales are continuing to improve in 2011, with the number of new cars registered last month up more than 16% on the same month last year.

Consumers remained cautious last month with the volume of retail sales dropping by 0.7% in the year to February.

The number of new cars bought last month more than doubled compared to the same time last year, according to official figures released today.

The volume of retail sales has increased by 1.5% in September, according to official figures released today.

THE ongoing sterling weakness will pose a major threat to the retail sector in the run-up to Christmas with cross-border shopping now costing the economy €430 million a year.

New figures from the Central Statistics Office show consumers are buying less.

The volume of goods sold in the country has seen its largest drop in 26 years.