Irish people spent over €4bn online last year – but 75%of this went to companies overseas.

The figures have prompted the Digital Hub Development Agency to call on the Government to create an ambitious national digital strategy for Ireland.

They say more jobs could be created – and more profits made for Irish firms, if consumers here bought more online products from indigenous firms.

But only 20% of Irish companies have an online presence – compared to 40% of firms in the UK.

And CEO of the Digital Hub Development Agency Philip Flynn says this needs to change.