Business sentiment hits nine-year low

According to an AIB survey, a net 56% of Irish firms are anticipating higher average staff costs this year, which is well above the global average.

Growth expectations amongst Irish companies have hit a nine-year low, with wage costs and skills shortages joining old reliables such as Brexit and global trade tensions on the list of concerns.

Manufacturing firms' expectations for growth haven't been as low for a full decade, with goods producers' confidence levels weaker only during the height of the global financial crisis.