Inflation fell by 0.8% in March

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The rate at which prices rose in the year to March, eased to 7.7 per cent.

That compares with a rate of inflation of 8.5 per cent in the 12 months to February.

CSO figures show in the month between February and March, prices went up by 1.1 per cent.

Economist Jim Power says Irish inflation mirrors what's happening in other countries:

"Energy costs continue to decline. For example, petrol prices were 15.6% lower, and diesel 15.5%  lower than a year ago. It's primarily been driven by energy, and we've seen natural gas and oil prices fall significantly over the last 6 months. That's really been reflected in the inflation."