We need to adopt some ‘Is féidir linn’ attitude

I am currently in the middle of a two-week programme in the US promoting economic development in rural areas.

Given the endless negativity and monotonous repeating of the same old arguments about issues such as burning bond holders, household charges and fiscal austerity in Ireland, it is really great to spend some time amongst people who are characterised by positivity and a can do attitude, despite considerable economic challenges.

The US economy is of course still struggling to emerge from the most difficult set of economic circumstances that has beset the nation since the 1930s, but there is still very much a sense that the economic difficulties are gradually easing — the labour market has been showing decent signs of recovery in recent months, manufacturing and service sector activity is still expanding, and although relatively weak, there is a reasonable level of consumer spending. Indeed in parts of the country construction activity is starting to rebound quite strongly. All in all, the economy is moving along at a modest pace and, while it still has a distance to go before it returns to its potential growth rate, at least it is moving in the right direction.