IRELAND's trade surplus - the surplus of exports over imports - fell sharply in August to £492 million compared with £623.8 million in the previous month.

Official figures issued yesterday show that, while the value of imports rose over the month, overall exports were weaker.

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the value of imports to the Republic that month was £1.5 billion, compared with £1.4 billion in July 1995. Exports fell from £2.1 billion in July to £1.9 billion in August.

CSO figures for the first eight months of 1995 indicate that the Irish economy is growing strongly, recording a healthy trade surplus since the beginning of the year.