CSO: House building slumps by 44%

House building in Ireland fell by 44% last year, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.

The data have shown that the economy suffered its largest decline on record in 2009.

The Quarterly National Accounts show economic activity fell by over 7% last year - compared with 2008.

Friends First Chief Economist, Jim Power, has said the drop in construction was "the driving force" behind the decline in the economy.