The Windows 8 operating system is to be made available in 100 languages including Irish, Microsoft Ireland managing director Paul Rellis has said.

Windows 8 is Microsoft's operating system that is optimised for touch screen devices, from tablets to laptops.

Mr Rellis said the company were localising the new operating system "into 100 languages including Gaeilge".

He said a core part of the new operating system, including the soft keyboard on screen, was developed in Ireland, adding that Ireland remains a good market for Microsoft's products.

"The consumer market is challenging in some places but people are still buying PCs and becoming more and more interested in techology."

Speaking about 16-year-old Dublin student Artyom Zorin, who developed an operating system to rival Microsoft with his brother Kryill, Mr Rellis said: "It is great to see a guy his age doing things with technology. The barrier to entry to developing applications is coming down".

The new Windows 8 software was unveiled to the public last year, opening up the consumer beta testing in February 2012.

The impact has been seen on Microsoft’s financial results. The latest quarterlies showed sales were down 7.9 per cent to $16 billion (€12 billion) and net income fell to $4.47 billion in the three months to September 30th.

Microsoft employs 1200 people in Ireland.