According to Experian, a global information services company, the number of mergers and acquisitions in Ireland dropped by almost 50%. This figure was for the first half of the year and included equity capital market transactions.

According to the report, there were 90 transactions in H1 2013. In 2012, this number was pegged at 163 transactions. Of the total volume of European transactions, about 2% accounted for transactions in Ireland in H1 2013. This was 5.7% of the total value of all European transactions.

"Although M&A volumes in the Republic of Ireland overall have decreased some sectors are further along the road to recovery than others," said Wendy Driver, Experian UK&I business development manager. "For example, the strong activity in Ireland's buoyant telecoms and pharmaceuticals sectors - which dominated the Irish picture in H1 2013 - looks set to continue as we move into teh second half of the year," Driver added.