Investor confidence in the Irish economy has reached a four-year high with more than nine out of ten respondents to the Rabodirect Investor Barometer confident about its outlook over the coming months.

The Governor of the Central Bank is expected to ask for the delay in the payment of €3.1bn to the former Anglo Irish Bank, which is due at the end of March.

THE likelihood of Lisbon surviving could hinge on the dominant issue in this campaign – the economy and employment prospects.