Business Post's View

Editorial: Experts disputing Ireland’s economic credentials are overstating their case

GDP is performing above expectations, exports are booming and employment growing, but while criticism of the validity and legitimacy of Irish economic data underpinning this success continues, much of it is not fair

Gabriel Makhlouf, governor of the Central Bank of Ireland: defended the economy’s growth and strengths to the Financial Times, insisting all of it was ‘real’ but he did so in language that was not precise enough to make his arguments entirely convincing

The Irish economy is on a bit of a tear. Exports are booming, employment is growing, corporate tax receipts are at record highs, and the domestic economy is doing well, even if sectors such as hospitality are struggling with changing consumer habits. Foreign direct investment continues to arrive despite a downturn in the fortunes of the global technology industry that has seen widespread though relatively modest job cuts.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) forecast last ...