Worse to come as exports decrease by €6 billion

IRISH exports fell by €6 billion last year with industry chiefs yesterday warning of worse to come with the possible loss of 35,000 jobs over the next 12 months.

The Irish Exporters’ Association (IEA) claimed it expected a further decline of €7.5bn over the coming year leading to an alarming 35,000 job losses.

John Whelan, IEA chief executive, said: “Such a decline can only be diminished if corrective action is taken immediately.”