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For more information on this release:
E-mail: bop@cso.ie Stephen McDonagh (+353) 1 498 4364 Annette Hayes (+353) 1 498 4319
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-5201
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Balance of International Payments

Quarter 1 2014

   € million
Merchandise BalanceInvisibles BalanceCurrent Account BalanceCurrent Account Balance as % of GDP
Q1 201410,146-9,1859602.2
Q1 20138,671-7,8907811.8
Year 201336,182-28,5487,6334.4
Year 201242,405-39,7042,7021.6

Current account surplus of €960m in Quarter 1 2014

Balance of International Payments Q1 2014 Figure 1
go to full release

The Balance of Payments current account was €960m in surplus in the first quarter of 2014. This compares with a current account surplus of €781m for the corresponding quarter of 2013.  A merchandise surplus of €10,146m was partially offset by an invisibles deficit of €9,185m in the quarter.

 

  

MerchandiseServicesPrimary Income
Q1 20129.935-1.732-8.698
Q2 201211.606-2.482-7.928
Q3 201211.056-0.911-7.843
Q4 20129.808-1.853-5.84
Q1 20138.671-0.352-6.786
Q2 201310.293-0.232-8.095
Q3 20139.5830.52-6.929
Q4 20137.6350.242-4.454
Q1 201410.146-1.166-7.284

Compared with the first quarter of 2013, the merchandise surplus in the first quarter of 2014 increased by €1,475m, while the invisibles deficit increased by €1,295m.  This latter increase was mainly due to an increase in the services deficit of €814m (see Table 1a).

Total service exports at €22,349m increased by €1,129m between Q1 2013 and Q1 2014. This arose from both an increase in the exports of business services (+€1,025) and an increase in the exports of computer services (+€175m). Total service imports at €23,515m increased by €1,944m, caused by an increase in imports of royalties/licences (€1,568m), business services (€367m), and financial services (€331m) combined with a decrease in insurance services (-€199m) (see Table 2a).

The direct investment income from abroad of Irish-resident businesses declined by €558m between Q1 2013 and Q1 2014 to €4,066m. In the same period outflows of direct investment income from foreign-owned enterprises in Ireland increased by €103m to €10,520m (see Table 2a).

In the financial account, direct investment in Ireland decreased by €7.7bn in the first quarter of 2014 while direct investment abroad decreased by €547m.  Portfolio investment in foreign assets increased by €32.7bn while foreign portfolio investors invested €44.3bn in Ireland during Q1 2014.  Other investment assets increased by €33.5bn and corresponding liabilities increased by €29.3bn for the same period (see Table 2b).

Introduction of BPM6 methodology and revised results for 2012 and 2013.

For the first time in this release CSO presents BOP data compiled according to the new IMF Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual Version 6 (BPM6) methodology, for details on the changes made to the Irish data see http://www.cso.ie/en/surveysandmethodology/balanceofpayments/methodologydocuments/ .

New and updated information for 2012 and 2013 have led to revisions to the current account for those years and the revised results are included in the 2013 National Income and Expenditure Release published today. The financial accounts results for 2012 and 2013 have also been amended to reflect new and revised data.

Table 1 Summary of Current, Capital and Financial Account Balances € million
Period     Balance on Current Account Balance on Capital Account Direct InvestmentPortfolio InvestmentOther2 InvestmentReserve AssetsBalance on Financial AccountNet errors and omissions
Merchandise1 Invisibles   
 ServicesPrimary IncomeSecondary IncomeTotal   
1998Year17,510-8,426-9,7761,319-16,883 627 840 -4,4228,466-7,4592,280-1,135-2,602
1999Year22,170-9,723-13,3981,177-21,944 226 560 -11,35914,342974-1,7462,2111,425
2000Year27,266-13,312-15,327994-27,645 -379 1182 -22,9575,3589,037142-8,420-9,223
2001Year30,494-12,412-19,142305-31,249 -755 779 -6,24125,158-19,039441319295
2002Year35,442-13,242-24,233707-36,768 -1,327 588 -19,44437,979-19,263-343-1,071-332
2003Year32,604-10,590-22,772432-32,930 -326 279 -15,27039,977-21,567-1,7701,3701,417
2004Year33,903-11,906-23,333393-34,846 -942 355 23,095-14,287-11,430-1,177-3,799-3,212
2005Year32,236-12,391-25,919265-38,045 -5,809 340 36,992-52,69817,665-1,4724875,956
2006Year30,332-11,300-25,053-506-36,859 -6,526 299 16,634-8,135-13,182-87-4,7701,457
2007Year28,627-9,043-29,130-990-39,163 -10,535 115 -2,6027,283-16,74412-12,051-1,631
2008Year31,179-14,875-25,838-1,154-41,867 -10,689 119 24,16745,749-86,12878-16,134-5,564
2009Year39,864-15,049-28,515-1,424-44,988 -5,125 14 649-22,62623,116-791,0606,171
2010Year42,877-14,091-26,429-1,412-41,932 945 91 -15,446-85,96594,140-5-7,276-8,312
2011Year43,321-8,634-32,127-1,183-41,945 1,377 234 -17,775-26,90834,937-329-10,075-11,686
2012 3Year42,405-6,978-30,309-2,417-39,704 2,702 86 -23,2884,08019,101-12-120-2,907
2013 3Year36,182178-26,264-2,462-28,548 7,633 100 -9,83546,301-25,3741011,1033,370
                  
2008Quarter 1 6,303-3,361-6,283-781-10,425 -4,123 42 3,191-8,182-3,140-74-8,205-4,124
 Quarter 27,699-3,258-6,564-570-10,392 -2,693 66 3,0775,541-18,41446-9,749-7,122
 Quarter 37,696-3,137-7,295-386-10,818 -3,121 0 9,27612,083-21,83539-4372,684
 Quarter 49,481-5,119-5,696583-10,232 -752 11 8,62336,307-42,739672,2593,000
2009Quarter 1 9,688-3,996-7,164-910-12,070 -2,382 -3 1,1072,331-429-412,9695,354
 Quarter 210,715-3,635-7,589-725-11,949 -1,234 -1 -1,14815,776-23,34562-8,654-7,419
 Quarter 310,019-2,317-7,561-495-10,373 -354 -10 7,508-26,57022,020-32,9543,318
 Quarter 49,442-5,101-6,201706-10,596 -1,155 28 -6,818-14,16324,870-973,7914,918
2010Quarter 1 10,296-2,922-7,568-838-11,328 -1,032 50 -4,547-19,82132,131-327,7318,713
 Quarter 211,372-3,435-7,518-588-11,541 -169 4 -2,9728,568-16,77319-11,158-10,993
 Quarter 311,880-3,204-6,649-657-10,510 1,370 14 1,35419,581-25,63576-4,624-6,008
 Quarter 49,329-4,530-4,693671-8,552 777 23 -9,281-94,293104,417-68775-25
2011Quarter 1 10,172-2,926-7,859-711-11,496 -1,323 24 -8,203-7,06311,577-65-3,754-2,455
 Quarter 210,931-1,532-8,320-521-10,373 557 1 -7,373-22,34428,92829-760-1,318
 Quarter 311,854-1,665-8,101-562-10,328 1,526 -1 -6,62219,456-15,888-24-3,078-4,603
 Quarter 410,364-2,511-7,848611-9,748 616 210 4,423-16,95710,320-269-2,483-3,309
2012 3Quarter 1 9,935-1,732-8,698-734-11,164 -1,228 61-15,89046,456-28,100-122,4533,621
 Quarter 2 11,606-2,482-7,928-564-10,974 632 12,591-31,56023,8236-5,140-5,773
 Quarter 311,056-911-7,843-602-9,356 1,700 5-14,887-5,00319,228-1-663-2,368
 Quarter 49,808-1,853-5,840-517-8,210 1,598 194,898-5,8134,150-53,2301,613
2013 3Quarter 1 8,671-352-6,786-752-7,890 781 53-3,53521,668-12,22505,9095,074
 Quarter 2 10,293-232-8,095-640-8,967 1,326 12-7,3584,7421,1781-1,437-2,774
 Quarter 3 9,583520-6,929-487-6,896 2,687 1-4622,4399642,077-611
 Quarter 47,635242-4,454-583-4,795 2,839 341,52017,452-14,42354,5541,681
2014Quarter 110,146-1,166-7,284-735-9,185 960 357,126-11,6604,2520-283-1,278
1Adjusted for balance of payments purposes.
2Includes financial derivatives and also life insurance liabilities to non-residents. Occasionally includes large capital transactions which cannot be shown in the Capital Account Balance due
to confidentiality constraints.
3Revised
Table 2a Current and Capital Accounts      € million
2012 12013 1 2012 1 2013 1 2014
Item Year Quarter 1Quarter 2Quarter 3Quarter 4 Quarter 1Quarter 2Quarter 3Quarter 4 Quarter 1
Current Account    
Merchandise 2Exports96,97691,76324,56524,72524,43523,25122,46724,09223,17222,032 24,320
Imports54,57155,58014,63013,11913,37913,44313,79613,79813,58914,397 14,174
             
  of which: Merchanting (net export)Exports5,2613,7511,1831,4171,3791,2827999659441,043 850
             
ServicesExports85,52792,29219,92221,87321,27622,45621,22023,40622,71024,956 22,349
Imports92,50492,11321,65324,35522,18724,30921,57123,63822,19024,714 23,515
  Repairs and ProcessingExports1,3221,406321379313309362329356359 346
Imports1,167726265327296279223151187165 138
  TransportExports4,6094,3968721,3211,4091,0077771,2421,420957 746
Imports1,6751,640468390415402421414402403 458
  Tourism and Travel 3Exports3,0223,3705068511,0186475669041,211689 558
Imports4,6094,6698651,0981,7139338711,1431,706949 788
  InsuranceExports8,9869,0212,2752,2242,2532,2342,3352,2602,0902,336 2,299
Imports6,5165,9221,6881,5321,6281,6681,6501,5511,3491,372 1,451
  Financial servicesExports7,7328,1571,9431,8561,9282,0051,9382,0962,0552,068 1,945
Imports5,0775,1721,3571,1661,3141,2401,2531,3021,2981,319 1,584
  Royalties/LicencesExports3,8794,1401,0001,0339618859621,1409401,098 979
Imports33,84735,7967,8198,7538,0989,1778,7138,9538,4179,713 10,281
  CommunicationsExports569591116131127195152157133149 143
Imports1,0871,076269287250281214295300267 256
  Computer services 4Exports36,15038,9568,4129,2968,24310,1999,35410,0018,82510,776 9,529
Imports34934690858589100828381 69
  Business servicesExports17,75020,5754,1934,4404,5424,5754,4134,9175,3175,928 5,438
Imports37,96736,5508,78110,6668,33610,1848,0719,6948,39410,391 8,438
     Research and developmentExports7661,060167186207206230256275299 288
 Imports7,0945,1811,2083,3571,1391,3901,1441,0981,4021,537 1,319
     Operational leasingExports7,5377,4971,7641,8901,9561,9271,8041,8581,9531,882 1,846
 Imports1,4341,393307361381385357392337307 289
     Misc. business services 5Exports9,44512,0182,2622,3632,3792,4412,3792,8033,0893,747 3,304
 Imports29,43829,9767,2656,9486,8158,4106,5708,2046,6558,547 6,830
  Other services n.e.s.Exports1,5111,681285342482402361360363597 366
Imports2142175352545554545554 53
               
Primary IncomeInflows58,41656,28214,17714,90114,43714,90113,61413,88913,97214,807 14,162
 Outflows88,72682,54622,87522,82922,28020,74220,40021,98420,90119,261 21,446
  Compensation of EmployeesInflows541544133136136136136136136136 136
Outflows743706185178192188167179179181 175
  Investment IncomeInflows56,24254,28713,92514,72114,17113,42513,41613,71313,72413,434 13,980
Outflows87,56681,41122,55922,56121,99520,45120,10121,70520,62018,985 21,135
      Direct investment incomeInflows17,79117,8834,4594,7864,3274,2194,6244,3834,5984,278 4,066
Outflows43,29940,39511,98911,02610,8899,39510,41710,89410,6608,424 10,520
          Income on equityInflows14,09214,3953,4693,8093,3713,4433,6463,6343,6923,423 3,106
Outflows38,74234,90110,8849,9279,6578,2749,3019,7579,3936,450 9,483
              Dividends & distributed Inflows3,1783,857135537** 2211,3351092,192 80
                  branch profitsOutflows17,88217,106 4,5654,4964,3074,514 4,7865,4873,3063,527 3,853
              Reinvested earningsInflows10,91510,5383,3343,273** 3,4252,2993,5831,231 3,027
Outflows20,85917,794 6,3195,4305,3503,760 4,5154,2716,0862,922 5,630
         Income on debtInflows3,6973,488990976956775978749906855 960
Outflows4,5565,4941,1051,0991,2311,1211,1161,1371,2671,974 1,036
      Portfolio investment incomeInflows24,93626,0445,8966,5146,4806,0466,1186,6956,6586,573 7,613
Outflows31,80931,0927,1928,3848,0738,1607,0318,3807,6358,046 8,432
          Income on equityInflows6,3646,9201,3581,8171,6971,4921,5601,9081,8321,620 1,806
 Outflows18,74820,0463,6945,0774,7935,1844,1385,6174,9265,365 6,061
         Income on debtInflows18,57019,1254,5374,6974,7834,5534,5584,7874,8264,954 5,807
Outflows13,06111,0483,4983,3073,2802,9762,8942,7642,7092,681 2,371
      Other investment incomeInflows13,51710,3583,5703,4223,3643,1612,6742,6342,4682,582 2,300
Outflows12,4579,9253,3793,1503,0332,8952,6542,4312,3262,514 2,184
Other primary incomeInflows1,6321,451119431301,34062401121,237 46
Outflows41642713090931031329910195 136
              
Secondary IncomeInflows3,9183,2461,1101,0261,021761909760866711 694
 Outflows6,3365,7081,8441,5901,6241,278 1,6601,4001,3541,294 1,429
                
Current Account - TotalInflows244,839243,58259,77462,52561,17061,370 58,21062,14660,72062,506 61,525
Outflows242,137235,94861,00261,89359,47059,772 57,42860,82058,03359,667 60,565
               
Current Account Balance 2,7027,633-1,2286321,7001,598 7811,3262,6872,839 960
                
Capital Account Balance 861006115195312134 35
                
Memorandum Item:               
 Government IncomeInflows115141 23382331 28483728 13
 Outflows4,6214,644 1,0891,1151,1871,230 1,1941,1481,1571,145 1,154
1Revised
2Adjusted for balance of payments purposes
3Under the credit item, passenger fare receipts of resident carriers from foreign visitors are excluded; such receipts are included under transport credits - see Background Notes.
4Covers exports and imports of software that was not incorporated as part of computer hardware or physical media but separately transmited by electronic means. The value of sales
and purchases of additional software licences is also included.
5Covers mainly advertising and inter-affiliate management charges.
*Suppressed for confidentiality reasons
Table 2b Financial Account¹     € million
2012 22013 22012 22013 2 2014
Item Year Quarter 1Quarter 2Quarter 3Quarter 4 Quarter 1Quarter 2Quarter 3Quarter 4 Quarter 1
             
Direct Investment Abroad11,89718,057 2,6233,677-1365,733 14,182-2,0374,0041,908 -547
In Ireland35,18427,892 18,5131,08614,751834 17,7175,3214,466388 -7,673
               
    EquityAbroad6,8457,5663,5132,623** 14,435-8,2553721,014 -5,085
 In Ireland18,4736,8256,5405,2184,4092,306 11,167-465-1,774-2,103 -2,958
    Reinvested EarningsAbroad10,91510,5383,3343,273** 3,4252,2993,5831,231 3,027
In Ireland20,85917,7946,3195,4305,3503,7604,5154,2716,0862,922 5,630
    Other CapitalAbroad-5,864-47 -4,224-2,219-1,8152,394 -3,6783,91849-336 1,512
 In Ireland-4,1473,273 5,655-9,5624,992-5,232 2,0341,516154-431 -10,346
                
Portfolio InvestmentAssets74,522100,923 61,838-28,59119,65521,620 57,6921,55019,80921,872 32,667
Liabilities70,44254,622 15,3832,96824,65827,433 36,024-3,19217,3704,420 44,327
               
    EquityAssets13,18260,653 6,000-3,829-1,42012,431 16,2668,99711,26324,127 15,667
 Liabilities80,08082,260 26,8708,39718,18726,626 33,1544,89327,18117,032 42,694
     Debt InstrumentsAssets61,33940,271 55,838-24,76321,0759,189 41,427-7,4478,546-2,255 16,999
 Liabilities-9,638-27,638 -11,488-5,4296,472807 2,870-8,085-9,811-12,612 1,633
        Bonds and notes Assets55,24645,60410,036-1,29111,62534,87627,9002,2474,84310,614 1,380
 Liabilities-11,614-19,039-9,831-3,8254,654-2,6121,186-7,781-7,510-4,934 783
        Money market instruments Assets6,096-5,33345,803-23,4719,450-25,68613,527-9,6943,703-12,869 15,620
 Liabilities1,976-8,596 -1,657-1,6041,8183,4191,684-303-2,300-7,677 850
                
Other InvestmentAssets-82,026-51,470 -61,20614,939-1,650-34,109-7,658-7,687-6,103-30,022 33,526
Liabilities-101,126-26,098 -33,105-8,884-20,878-38,2594,566-8,865-6,199-15,600 29,275
               
     Loans, currency and depositsAssets-80,270-46,049 -58,02417,724-3,549-36,421-15,255-8,982-6,626-15,186 13,717
 Liabilities-90,212-16,269 -33,053-2,681-27,622-26,856-11,703-685-2,382-1,499 -3,091
     Other 3Assets-1,756-5,421 -3,182-2,7851,8992,3127,5961,295524-14,836 19,809
 Liabilities-10,915-9,828 -53-6,2036,744-11,40316,270-8,180-3,817-14,101 32,366
                
Reserve Assets -1210 -126-1-50145 0
               
     Monetary gold 00 00000000 0
     Special drawing rights 810 652-51234 0
     Reserve position in the IMF 00 00000000 0
     Foreign exchange  -10 -12-20-1-111 0
     Other -190 -17-1-100000 0
                
Balance on Financial Account -12011,103 2,453-5,140-6633,230 5,909-1,4372,0774,554 -283
                
Net errors and omissions -2,9073,370 3,621-5,773-2,3681,613 5,074-2,774-6111,681 -1,278
Memorandum Item:             
Government financialAssets2,7343,017 753-5204542,047 961-93771,688 175
  transactionsLiabilities20,4754,940 5,4904,4988,5871,900 6,972-8522,224-3,404 3,536
1Financial account transactions are categorised under two headings 'Assets' and 'Liabilities' for Portfolio Investment, Other Investment and Reserve Assets. For Direct Investment,
a 'directional ' categorisation is used: 'Abroad' indicates direct investment by Irish investors in foreign companies; direct investment into Ireland is indicated by the heading 'In Ireland'.
2Revised
3Includes financial derivatives; in the case of liabilities this category also includes life insurance liabilities to non-residents. Occasionally includes large capital transactions which
 cannot be shown in the Capital Account Balance due to confidentiality constraints.
*Suppressed for confidentiality reasons
Table 3 Current, Capital and Financial Accounts showing IFSC¹ and Non–IFSC activity   € million
 2012 22013 2 2012 22013 22014
Item Year Quarter 1Quarter 2Quarter 3Quarter 4 Quarter 1Quarter 2Quarter 3Quarter 4 Quarter1
Current Account - TotalInflows244,839243,58259,77462,52561,17061,37058,21062,14660,72062,50661,525
 Outflows242,137235,94861,00261,89359,47059,77257,42860,82058,03359,66760,565
             
Merchandise 3Exports96,97691,76324,56524,72524,43523,25122,46724,09223,17222,03224,320
Imports54,57155,58014,63013,11913,37913,44313,79613,79813,58914,39714,174
            
ServicesExports85,52792,29219,92221,87321,27622,45621,22023,40622,71024,95622,349
Imports92,50492,11321,65324,35522,18724,30921,57123,63822,19024,71423,515
            
        IFSCExports24,74025,8636,1246,1256,2256,2666,2666,4916,3806,7266,661
 Imports15,19515,2983,8033,5673,7964,0293,8523,9093,7373,8004,049
        Non-IFSCExports60,78666,42813,79715,74815,05116,19014,95416,91416,33018,23015,688
Imports77,30976,81517,85020,78818,39120,28017,71919,72918,45320,91419,466
            
Primary IncomeInflows58,41656,28214,17714,90114,43714,90113,61413,88913,97214,80714,162
Outflows88,72682,54622,87522,82922,28020,74220,40021,98420,90119,26121,446
            
        IFSCInflows38,27737,3709,3069,8529,8709,2499,0729,4389,4389,42210,254
 Outflows42,05338,56510,44810,64010,74910,2169,4449,8459,7909,48610,566
        Non-IFSCInflows20,14018,9104,8715,0494,5685,6524,5424,4504,5335,3853,908
Outflows46,67343,98112,42712,18911,53210,52510,95612,13911,1119,77510,881
            
Secondary IncomeInflows3,9183,2461,1101,0261,021761909760866711694
Outflows6,3365,7081,8441,5901,6241,2781,6601,4001,3541,2941,429
            
        IFSC4Inflows3,3602,742965900857638748649747598608
 Outflows3,3602,742965900857638748649747598608
        Non-IFSCInflows55850314512616512216111011911386
 Outflows2,9762,965879690767640912751606696822
             
Balance on Current Account 2,7027,633-1,2286321,7001,5987811,3262,6872,839960
             
Balance on Capital Account 86100611519531213435
             
Financial Account 5              
Direct investmentAbroad11,89718,0572,6233,677-1365,733 14,182-2,0374,0041,908-547
 In Ireland35,18427,89218,5131,08614,751834 17,7175,3214,466388-7,673
              
        IFSCAbroad1,3033,14149-1791521,281 670609975887-3,576
 In Ireland9,60517,14810,692-6,14910,536-5,474 9,1634,4533,201331-6,038
        Non-IFSCAbroad10,59514,9182,5743,857-2884,452 13,512-2,6463,0301,0223,029
 In Ireland25,57910,7467,8217,2354,2156,308 8,5548681,26658-1,635
              
Portfolio investmentAssets74,522100,92361,838-28,59119,65521,620 57,6921,55019,80921,87232,667 
 Liabilities70,44254,62215,3832,96824,65827,433 36,024-3,19217,3704,42044,327
              
        IFSCAssets81,32296,21161,140-23,59922,05121,730 57,59991818,63819,05634,948
 Liabilities83,69462,60628,0448,08621,03526,529 31,0594,79319,8196,93540,697
        Non-IFSCAssets-6,7994,711699-4,993-2,395-110 936321,1712,815-2,282
 Liabilities-13,252-7,984-12,661-5,1183,623904 4,965-7,985-2,449-2,5153,629
              
Other investment 6Assets-82,026-51,470-61,20614,939-1,650-34,109 -7,658-7,687-6,103-30,02233,526
 Liabilities-101,126-26,098-33,105-8,884-20,878-38,259 4,566-8,865-6,199-15,60029,275
              
        IFSCAssets-61,851-38,464-50,88212,8857,156-31,010 522-3,263-2,629-33,09440,276
 Liabilities-52,338-8,068-11,438-10,346-2,140-28,414 22,687-10,495-7,468-12,79245,320
        Non-IFSCAssets-20,176-13,006-10,3242,054-8,807-3,099 -8,180-4,424-3,4743,072-6,749
 Liabilities-48,787-18,029-21,6671,462-18,738-9,844 -18,1201,6301,269-2,808-16,045
              
Reserve Assets -1210-126-1-5 01450
              
Balance on Financial Account -12011,103 2,453-5,140-6633,230 5,909-1,4372,0774,554 -283
Net errors and omissions -2,9073,370 3,621-5,773-2,3681,613 5,074-2,774-6111,681 -1,278
1From the start of 2000 new international financial service projects are no longer subject to the earlier certification and licensing procedures in operation for location in the IFSC and
such projects can, therefore, locate anywhere in Ireland. Additions to existing IFSC projects, however, are still subject to the formal procedures. For statistical analysis purposes
this table still shows the 'IFSC/non-IFSC' breakdown and the activities of all international financial service enterprises are covered under the IFSC heading.
2Revised
3Adjusted for balance of payments purposes.
4Secondary income flows to and from IFSC enterprises relate solely to non-life insurance transactions (see Background Notes).
5See footnote 1 on Table 2b.
6Includes financial derivatives; in the case of liabilities this category also includes life insurance liabilities to non-residents. Occasionally includes large capital transactions which
cannot be shown in the Capital Account Balance due to confidentiality constraints.
Table 4a Current and Capital Accounts showing geographical¹ detail    € million
 2012 22013 2 2012 2 2013 2 2014
Item Year Quarter 1Quarter 2Quarter 3Quarter 4 Quarter 1Quarter 2Quarter 3Quarter 4 Quarter 1
             
Current Account - TotalInflows244,839243,582 59,77462,52561,17061,37058,21062,14660,72062,506 61,525
 Outflows242,137235,948 61,00261,89359,47059,77257,42860,82058,03359,667 60,565
                
  Merchandise 3Exports96,97691,76324,56524,72524,43523,25122,46724,09223,17222,032 24,320
 Imports54,57155,58014,63013,11913,37913,44313,79613,79813,58914,397 14,174
      EMUExports35,77733,9769,4739,3088,6818,3157,8528,9288,6758,521 9,109
 Imports11,91513,9332,9992,8552,9663,0953,5113,5213,3563,545 3,655
      Non-EMUExports61,20057,78715,09315,41715,75414,93614,61515,16414,49713,511 15,212
 Imports42,65441,64611,63110,26410,41210,34710,28510,27710,23210,852 10,519
       EU Exports54,81951,94214,37514,31313,02313,10812,18013,70213,36912,691 13,374
 Imports34,39338,3058,6758,1048,5419,0739,4739,3749,4899,969 9,632
      Non-EU Exports42,15839,82110,19010,41211,41310,14310,28710,3909,8039,341 10,946
Imports20,17817,2755,9555,0164,8374,3704,3244,4244,0994,428 4,542
               
  ServicesExports85,52792,29219,92221,87321,27622,45621,22023,40622,71024,956 22,349
 Imports92,50492,11321,65324,35522,18724,30921,57123,63822,19024,714 23,515
      EMUExports28,99629,7027,2717,2006,8097,7167,1268,0556,6787,843 7,142
 Imports34,41633,7298,0908,8178,2469,2637,8308,4448,3209,135 7,707
      Non-EMUExports56,53262,59012,65114,67314,46714,74114,09415,35116,03217,113 15,207
 Imports58,08858,38313,56315,53813,94115,04613,74115,19413,86915,579 15,808
       EU Exports49,58151,39811,84812,52012,12113,09212,07013,41812,26013,650 12,404
 Imports45,80244,76610,85011,48011,00612,46610,38611,17110,83412,375 10,431
      Non-EU Exports35,94640,8948,0749,3539,1559,3649,1509,98810,45011,306 9,945
Imports46,70347,34610,80312,87511,18111,84411,18612,46611,35512,339 13,084
                
Primary IncomeInflows58,41656,28214,17714,90114,43714,90113,61413,88913,97214,807 14,162
 Outflows88,72682,54622,87522,82922,28020,74220,40021,98420,90119,261 21,446
      EMUInflows20,13118,1875,2445,2054,9744,7084,7784,3114,3974,701 4,921
 Outflows30,80927,2868,6427,5847,3047,2796,5367,0777,1046,569 7,316
      Non-EMUInflows38,28538,0958,9339,6969,46310,1938,8369,5789,57510,106 9,241
 Outflows57,91755,26014,23315,24514,97613,46313,86514,90713,79712,691 14,130
       EU Inflows31,82428,6677,9387,8937,6488,3457,1446,4776,7908,256 7,744
 Outflows47,62643,50312,99411,92711,74710,95810,80511,18111,20910,308 11,836
      Non-EU Inflows26,59227,6156,2407,0076,7896,5566,4707,4127,1826,551 6,418
 Outflows41,10239,0439,88210,90210,5349,7849,59610,8029,6928,953 9,610
                
Secondary IncomeInflows3,9183,2461,1101,0261,021761909760866711 694
 Outflows6,3365,7081,8441,5901,6241,2781,6601,4001,3541,294 1,429
      EMUInflows1,0131,062375408281-51306244295217 244
 Outflows1,1051,148398431304-28327266317238 265
      Non-EMUInflows2,9052,183735618740812603515571494 449
 Outflows5,2324,5611,4461,1591,3201,3071,3331,1351,0371,056 1,165
       EU Inflows2,2962,368629665710292722537620489 506
 Outflows4,0694,4291,2411,0611,0986691,3699771,0551,028 1,196
      Non-EU Inflows1,622877481361312468187222246222 188
 Outflows2,2671,280603529526609291423299267 233
                
Balance on Current Account 2,7027,633-1,2286321,7001,5987811,3262,6872,839 960
                
Balance on Capital Account 861006115195312134 35
              
1The term ‘EMU’ means the area represented by the 18 Member States participating in Monetary Union since the enlargement of the Euro area on 1 January 2014 to include Latvia. With the
expansion of the EU on 1 July 2013 to include Croatia the term ‘EU’ relates to transactions between residents of Ireland and other residents of the EU28 area. For comparison purposes data
shown for 2012 and 2013 also relates to EMU 18 and EU 28
2Revised
3Adjusted for balance of payments purposes
Table 4b Financial Account¹ showing geographical² detail   € million
  2012 32013 3 2012 32013 32014
Item Year Quarter 1Quarter 2Quarter 3Quarter 4 Quarter 1Quarter 2Quarter 3Quarter 4 Quarter 1
       
Direct InvestmentAbroad11,89718,0572,6233,677-1365,73314,182-2,0374,0041,908 -547
 In Ireland35,18427,89218,5131,08614,75183417,7175,3214,466388 -7,673
              
      EMUAbroad-2,5197,2592,271-1,529-2,764-4973,9552712,183850 624
 In Ireland19,72814,0666,4401,4394,5797,2705,7315,9042,673-242 -4,302
      Non-EMUAbroad14,41510,7993525,2062,6286,22910,227-2,3081,8211,059 -1,170
 In Ireland15,45813,82712,074-35310,172-6,43511,986-5841,794631 -3,370
       EU Abroad-16212,8232,221-1,244-2,3701,2316,8171743,3732,459 -2,151
 In Ireland22,78314,26413,077-2,98810,3052,38910,1365,1773,077-4,126 -7,506
      Non-EU Abroad12,0605,2344024,9222,2354,5017,366-2,212631-551 1,604
 In Ireland12,40113,6285,4364,0744,446-1,5557,5811431,3894,515 -167
              
Portfolio InvestmentAssets74,522100,92361,838-28,59119,65521,62057,6921,55019,80921,872 32,667
 Liabilities70,44254,62215,3832,96824,65827,43336,024-3,19217,3704,420 44,327
              
      EMUAssets28,96223,00112,329-3,18518,5361,28219,5996,822-2,079-1,341 20,603
 Liabilities-9,7329,113-1,074-9,8044,888-3,7429,4521,825468-2,632 14,740
      Non-EMUAssets45,56177,92349,509-25,4061,12020,33838,093-5,27221,88823,214 12,063
 Liabilities80,17345,50916,45612,77219,77031,17526,572-5,01716,9027,052 29,587
       EU Assets37,95545,13529,234-19,72822,4655,98417,5995,97415,2576,305 22,442
 Liabilities-6,63239,223-1,581-14,9015,5924,25823,1783,92813,073-956 40,762
      Non-EU Assets36,56855,79032,605-8,864-2,80915,63640,094-4,4244,55215,568 10,224
 Liabilities77,07215,40016,96317,86919,06623,17412,847-7,1204,2975,376 3,565
                
Other Investment 4Assets-82,026-51,470-61,20614,939-1,650-34,109 -7,658-7,687-6,103-30,022 33,526
 Liabilities-101,126-26,098-33,105-8,884-20,878-38,2594,566-8,865-6,199-15,600 29,275
              
      EMUAssets-108,477-17,279-61,337-11,277-5,108-30,7553,766-4,589-10,893-5,563 5,808
 Liabilities-99,590-34,647-45,6902,943-26,670-30,173-13,247-5,069-7,517-8,814 797
      Non-EMUAssets26,451-34,19113126,2163,458-3,354-11,424-3,0984,790-24,459 27,718
 Liabilities-1,5358,54912,585-11,8275,792-8,08517,813-3,7961,318-6,786 28,478
       EU Assets-166,215-27,783-79,553-7,557-31,617-47,488-4,225-5,512-2,779-15,267 19,055
 Liabilities-122,077-24,918-41,684-5,753-31,531-43,109-9,873-8,468962-7,539 6,945
      Non-EU Assets84,189-23,68718,34822,49529,96713,379-3,433-2,175-3,324-14,755 14,472
 Liabilities20,950-1,1808,578-3,13110,6534,85014,439-397-7,161-8,061 22,330
             
Reserve Assets -1210-126-1-50145 0
              
Balance on Financial Account -12011,1032,453-5,140-6633,2305,909-1,4372,0774,554 -283
                
Net errors and omissions -2,9073,370 3,621-5,773-2,3681,613 5,074-2,774-6111,681 -1,278
1See footnote 1 on Table 2b.
2The term ‘EMU’ means the area represented by the 18 Member States participating in Monetary Union since the enlargement of the Euro area on 1 January 2014 to include Latvia. With the expansion
of the EU on 1 July 2013 to include Croatia the term ‘EU’ relates to transactions between residents of Ireland and other residents of the EU28 area. For comparison purposes data shown for 2012
and 2013 also relates to EMU 18 and EU 28
3Revised
4Includes financial derivatives; in the case of liabilities this category also includes life insurance liabilities to non-residents. Occasionally includes large capital transactions which cannot be shown
in the Capital Account Balance due to confidentiality constraints.

Background Notes

Definition

The balance of payments (BOP) is a statistical statement that summarises, for a specific time period, the economic transactions of the residents of an economy with the rest of the world.

The balance of payments presentation consists of three tables or accounts, the Current Account, the Capital Account and the Financial Account. The current account consists of trade in merchandise and services, as well as primary and secondary income account inflows and outflows. The capital account covers capital transfers and the acquisition and disposal of non-produced, non-financial assets. The financial account is concerned with transactions in foreign financial assets and liabilities, distinguishing the functional type of investment i.e. direct, portfolio and other investment (including transactions in financial derivatives) and reserve assets.

BOP transactions, in principle, should be recorded on an accruals basis using market valuation. In practice, the collection system (see below) is designed to adhere to this approach and, for the most part, the valuations reported are either market values or a close approximation.

For more detailed methodological information see‌ http://www.cso.ie/en/surveysandmethodology/balanceofpayments/methodologydocuments/BOP Quarterly Statistical Compilation Methodology (PDF 239KB)

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