A total of 33,600 new cars have been sold in the first two months of this year, an increase of 18% on the same period in 2010.

The number of new cars licensed last month was down almost 5% on January 2009, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office.

THERE was mixed reaction as Charlie McCreevy yesterday imposed increases to the prices of cigarettes and fuel. Alcohol, already heavily taxed, escaped further rises.