It is not hard to imagine that she might suggest a “welcome correction” in Irish consumer sentiment, though retailers might disagree. Figures published yesterday showed consumer sentiment rose to a 17-year peak last month. The KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI consumer sentiment index found sentiment had increased to 110.4 in January, from 103.2 in December, highlighting stronger household finances. This tigerish pace contrasts starkly with the situation in Britain where consumer spending fell for the fifth month in-a-row. The German ambassador to Ireland warned that conflict regarding tax harmonisation policies will inevitably come to a head this year.

Source: Irish Examiner February 13, 2018 00:33 UTC