Although construction remains sluggish at best, Ireland's annual industrial production rose 13.7% in February, when compared to the same month in 2009, the Central Statistics Office said today.

However, turnover was 3.6% lower compared with February 2009.

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While there was a 32.3% decline in the production of computer, electronic and optical products the overall rise in volume was driven by growth in the production of basic pharmaceutical products and preparations, which rose by a third.

Seasonally adjusted figures show the volume of industrial production for the three-month period to the end of February 2010 was 5.7% higher than the preceeding quarter.

(BMcC/GK)