According to the latest Eurostat figures (21.01.2015), almost six in ten Irish firms (with ten employees or more) recorded innovation activity between 2010 and 2012. Only Germany and Luxembourg did better, with 66.9pc and 66.1pc respectively. The EU average was was 48.9%.

Background:   Innovation is measured in general terms of 1) product & process and 2) organisation & marketing.

Ireland's strongest performance was in the organisation and marketing category. 50.8% of Irish companies innovated in organisation and/or marketing, while 42.3% undertook product and/or process innovation.

As regards the sectors involved, Ireland innovated above the EU average level in the Industry sector, especially in Manufacturing (68% Ireland, 51.8% EU average), and in the Financial and Insurance sectors (60.9% Ireland, 53.5% EU average).

At EU level overall, 36% of companies innovated in products and processes, and 37% innovated in organisation and marketing.

(Download Community Innovation Survey 2012, companies of 10 or more employees. >>> here.)