Jim Power: Momentum good going into 2017 but challenges remain

Last week, I wrote about how strange and interesting 2016 was from a global political perspective. However, it was also a strange and interesting year from a domestic political and economic perspective.

In theory, the incumbent government went into the general election, in February, in a strong position. Since taking office, in 2011, it had steered the economy out of the darkest and deepest hole in which it arguably had ever found itself.

Granted, Ireland benefited enormously from benign external developments, particularly on the currency and interest rate front. However, it also required strong and stable leadership, which the Government provided, to a certain extent.