Industrial enterprises had a turnover of €113.6 billion in 2008, early estimates from the Central Statistics Office show.
Figures from the 2008 Census of Industrial Production showed the pharmaceutical and preparations sector accounted for 23 per cent of all production.
Food manufacturing accounted for 19 per cent while computer, electronic and optical products had an 18 per cent share of production. The manufacture of chemicals and chemical products represented 7 per cent of industrial production turnover.
Some 217,095 people were employed in 5,591 industrial enterprises during the year, resulting in a bill of €8.8 billion for wages and salaries, according to the CSO.