Business sentiment survey: Firms are less upbeat

Political uncertainty in the run-up to the formation of the new minority Government dented confidence in the economy and caused a slowdown in the pace of economic growth, new research suggests.

While the economy continued to grow at a reasonably strong rate in the opening weeks of May, increased uncertainty and concerns around global demand weighed on the mood of the corporate sector in Ireland.

The KBC Ireland/Chartered Accountants Ireland business sentiment survey shows a “clear easing in the strength and spread of Irish economic growth” since the turn of the year.