Business people optimistic about economic prospects

The overwhelming majority of Irish chief executives are optimistic about economic prospects for next year, according to the property consultants CB Richard Ellis Gunne.

The company said almost 90% of Irish CEOs were expecting economic growth of more than 2%, while 73% only expect interest rates to rise slightly during the year.

Almost three quarters of respondents to the survey also said they expected to retain or increase their staffing levels in 2006.