Ibec: Long-term Brexit impact highly uncertain

The impact of Brexit is likely to hit parts of Ireland disproportionately harder than the rest, with the West particularly vulnerable.

The economy remains strong enough to weather the initial effects of the vote and will continue to grow strongly by 3.9% this year, but the longer-term impact remains highly uncertain, business representative body Ibec has warned.

A significant downturn in the UK economy and continued weakening of sterling — which has depreciated by 13% against the euro since the vote — would seriously weaken Irish businesses, with those in the regions most at risk, said Ibec director of policy Fergal O’Brien.