Talking Point: Irish firms cautious despite an upswing

As the year draws to a close, a new report has found that business may be picking up for homegrown firms selling to Irish consumers, writes Elaine O'Regan.

The report said the majority of Irish companies were cautious about the year ahead.

As the year draws to a close, a new report has found that business may be picking up for homegrown firms selling to Irish consumers.

Seasonal buying trends aside, the Winter 2012 Business Sentiment Survey published by KBC Bank Ireland and Chartered Accountants Ireland, found that, in the past three months, these companies' "overall activity balance swung from negative into positive territory".

The report put the trend down to what it termed a ...