Seasonally adjusted figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the country's trade surplus widened sharply in November, to €3.2 billion from €2.3 billion in October.
Exports increased by 7% in the month to €7.8 billion, while imports fell by 9% to €4.6 billion.
Detailed figures for the first ten months of 2005 show exports 4% ahead of the same period in 2004 at €72.2 billion, which chemical exports up 16%. Exports to Britain and the US were down slightly, but exports to France and Spain grew by 13% and 24% respectively.
Imports for the first ten months were up 9% to €45.5 billion, with imports of petroleum related materials increasing by 45%. Imports from China were up 33%, while US imports grew by 13%.
