Economy ‘to pick up by over 2%’

The economy will pick up this year posting more than 2% real growth, according to Merrion Economics’ quarterly outlook.

Chief economist Alan McQuaid said the economy would benefit from external factors that would help the country’s economy grow stronger than in 2013.

“Like the two years preceding it, 2013 was a damp squib for the global economy, beset by political wrangling in the US, recession in Europe, and disappointing growth in China. We are optimistic that 2014 will bring better times ahead — even if only slightly.