Irish firms more upbeat over future

IRISH companies are more optimistic than their British counterparts about the prospects for economic growth over the next 10 years, according to a new study.

A survey of companies across Ireland and Britain, by Barclays Bank, found as many as 82% of respondents believe Ireland will be a better place to do business in by 2021. Only 6% of companies said they felt economic prospects will have deteriorated over the coming decade.

In comparison, only half of British respondents to the same survey said they were positive about Britain’s long-term economic prospects. Just under 30% of those surveyed in Britain said they expect business conditions there to deteriorate in the next 10 years.