The latest figures from the ABC audit show that newspaper sales fell again in the second half of 2014 - both daily and Sunday paper sales were down by more than 7 percent on the same period in the previous year.

Irish Independent had an average daily circulation of 112,502 - increasing its share of the quality daily market to 50.3 percent. This still represents a 4.1 percent decrease.

It is followed by Irish Times, the paper's sales were down by 6.3 percent, its print circulation was 76,882 - that is 34.4 percent of the quality market.

Irish Examiner's circulation was 34,424, that is 15.4 percent of the market - a 7 percent annual decline.

Sunday Independent dominates the weekend - it is Ireland's most widely read physical newspaper - selling 219,007 copies.

In the popular daily market the Sun and the Irish Daily Star both sell just under 60,000 copies - while The Herald, The Irish Daily Mirror and the Irish Daily Mail sell between 45,000 and 50,000 copies.

The report shows that 82 percent of Irish adults read newspapers, either in print or online.

These figures reflect readers continued migration from print editions to online news sources - but seven out of ten Irish people who read news websites also read print newspapers.

Nearly 2m people view content on Independent News and Media (INM) websites every week, the main site being Independent.ie.

Irish Times will be the first Irish daily quality title to introduce a paywall on its website - it will be in place from next Monday (February 23rd).

The paper will have two main subscription packages. The standard subscription will cost €12 a month and gives readers unlimited access to their website and archive. While a premium subscription, at €16 a month, gives readers everything in the standard package plus the digital edition of the newspaper.