Ireland is the fastest growing market in Europe for Compaq Computers, according to the US group which announced its 1995 figures. The company had a turnover of £15.5 million last year in Ireland and spent over £140 million buying Irish made components, according to Mr Tom Keating, the general manager of Compaq in Ireland.

Group sales last year were $14.8 billion (£9.25 billion), an increase of 36 per cent on the previous year. Profits were a record $1 billion, excluding a $241 million charge associated with acquisitions. The sales reinforced Compaq's number one position in the PC industry and propelled it past Digital Equipment Corporation and Hitachi to be the world's fifth largest computer company, according to company president Mr Eckhard Pfeiffer.