The Republic's trade surplus rose 43 per cent in the first quarter of 2001. Trade with Germany, the United States and the Netherlands accounted for more than half of the surplus in the quarter, Central Statistics Office data has shown.

The value of merchandise exports rose 25 per cent to £18.3 billion compared with the same period last year.

Industrial sectors showing significant increases in exports included computer equipment which saw a rise of 27 per cent, organic chemicals which rose 31 per cent, electrical apparatus increased 69 per cent, and medical and pharmaceutical products were up 69 per cent.

Growth in exports to the US rose 50 per cent with a 20 per cent rise in the figures for Britain.