Activity in Ireland’s services sector increased again in March but at one of the weakest rates over the past five years. The latest figure signalled the weakest rate of growth for seven months, and the third-slowest in the current upturn, which began in March 2021. “That put the Irish services sector ahead of the flash euro zone PMI of 50.1 but behind the UK and US PMIs at 51.2 and 51.1, respectively,” said AIB chief economist, David McNamara. New business fell in two sectors – financial services and transport as well as in tourism and leisure – and rose only modestly in business services. The business services sector posted a contraction in outstanding work.

Source: The Irish Times April 07, 2026 04:02 UTC