Slight dip in business sentiment

The level of increased output and job hiring among firms is not yet significant enough to suggest the economy has moved to a "notably faster growth trajectory", according to a new survey.

The summer edition of the quarterly business sentiment index from KBC Bank Ireland and Chartered Accountants Ireland — published this morning — shows a marginal dip for the second quarter of 2014, from 122.2 points to 121.8 points, and suggests a slightly slower pace of growth in activity is likely in the current quarter.

The survey notes that job creation is now at its strongest level for seven years.