Trade figures published yesterday showed that Irish exports remained buoyant in July while the value of imports was little changed. Ireland's trade surplus widened to £746 million in July from £693 million in the same month last year. Exports were valued at £2.841 billion, down on June's record level of £3.247 billion but above last July's levels, while imports were valued at £2.094 billion against £2.089 billion in June. Preliminary estimates for August showed a trade surplus of £740 million.

Industrial turnover figures for August also confirmed the strength of the economy, showing turnover in the transportable goods industries increased by 15.2 per cent on the August 1996 levels.