New dot.ie domain registrations rose more than 13 per cent last year, with net registrations up by almost 50 per cent, the IE Domain Registry said.

The organisation’s annual report said the rise was a mix of improvements to the economy, driving an increase in use of websites by business, and a resurgence in consumer confidence and spending power.

More than 200,000 dot.ie web addresses have been registered. The organisation's annual report revealed an operating loss of just over €517,000 as IEDR upped its investment in promotions, marketing and initiatives to encourage businesses to take up dot.ie domains. Chief executive David Curtin said "E-commerce functionality is . . . just as important as any other aspect of running a business."