Survey finds consumer sentiment at seven-year high

A joint survey by the ESRI and KBC Bank shows consumer sentiment has risen to a seven-year high.

The index rose to 87.2 in April from 83.1 in March - pushing it to its highest level since January 2007.

KBC says the rise is down to a renewed sense of optimism in Ireland's economic outlook and improved employment figures.

However, the Bank's Chief Economist Austin Hughes says the numbers are encouraging, but there is no room for complacency.