A new report shows that growth in the Irish manufacturing sector stalled in May, hitting employment levels.
The NCB Purchasing Managers' Index recorded 50.3, down from 51.3 in April and the lowest reading in the current 21-month period of expansion. Any figure above 50 signals growth.
NCB chief economist Dermot O'Brien said poor demand conditions in euro zone export markets were the main reason for the subdued growth.
Levels of new business rose modestly, but mainly because of improved domestic demand, as new export orders fell for the third month in a row.
Higher raw materials prices kept cost inflation high, but the index dropped to 58.7, its lowest level in 15 months. Prices charged by firms rose solidly, with this index at 53.9.
But employment levels fell for the first time in 16 months, with the index dropping to 48.9.
