Best month for Irish manufacturing since Brexit

Irish manufacturing delivered its best news yet since the UK voted to quit the EU, as output, new orders and new hirings quickened pace last month, according to the latest survey of purchasing managers. A survey of consumer sentiment, which was also released yesterday, was less upbeat, however.

Philip O’Sullivan, chief economist at Investec Ireland, said it was heartening that factories here reported a pick-up in new export orders.

“While the rate of expansion in new orders ticked up in November, the real highlight was a marked improvement in the new export orders component, with panellists reporting increased demand from customers in Asia, Europe and the US,” he said.