The level of direct foreign investment in Ireland by multinational companies fell by 60% last year.
According to a report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the reduction was the equivalent of 8,000 dollars for every worker in the country. Forfas said that trend has continued into this year.
Meanwhile, the President of the Irish Exporters' Association has warned that Irish exporters are under heavy competitive pressures because of the uncertainty over international trade.
Brian Ranalow criticised insurance and inflation rates, which he said are the highest in Europe.
Mr Ranalow said that the cost base of doing business in Ireland is rising faster than in our main competitor countries. He said this means Irish exporters are having to work harder for lower profit margins, just to hold on to their market share.
Speaking at the Irish Exporters' Annual Luncheon, Mr Ranalow warned that this loss of competitiveness - as well as poor infrastructure and the attitude of existing EU partners to Ireland's corporate tax regime - represent the major threats to the economy.
