Tánaiste welcomes higher growth forecast from IBEC

The Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has welcomed an independent report which says the economy could grow by nearly 3% next year.

The report by the employers' group IBEC forecasts growth of up to 2.8% next year which is far higher than the growth planned in the Budget.

Speaking in Brussels this morning Mr Gilmore said the Government would do everything it could to help grow employment.

However, he said the IBEC forecast is a good sign for the Irish recovery.

He said: "The government has projected a growth of 2% next year - it is very encouraging that the largest business organisation in the country is now projecting a rate of growth which is higher than that.

"I assume that this is based on their own knowledge of what is happening on the ground in Irish industry and in Irish business."