The Republic's trade surplus with the rest of the world fell in May, according to preliminary figures released yesterday. It was £1.5 billion (€1.9 billion) in May, compared to £1.6 billion in April. Overall, the surplus grew by 27 per cent between January and April, according to Mr Tom Kitt, the Minister of State for Trade.

Exports were £19.5 billion during the five-month period, exceeding imports by £6.2 billion.