Report reveals optimism among Irish firms

They may be in the midst of a recession, but new figures show Irish businesses are optimistic about their recovery.

The report, which was commissioned by AIB, shows retailers in the Republic of Ireland are in good spirits about the future, with the majority of them thinking a new business culture has emerged that will help prevent past mistakes.

There has also been a rise in the number of women, college graduates and those of retirement age starting up their own enterprises.

Gerard O'Neill, the chairman of Amarach Research who carried out the study, said the optimism of employers will have an impact.