'Eight to ten years ago, we were the laughing stock of boardrooms across the world for what we allowed to happen to the country. Today, people are in awe'

For aviation tycoon Dómhnal Slattery, Ireland’s recovery is still a source of unstinting pride – but, he cautions, we must make sure not to lose the economic plot again

Dómhnal Slattery: ‘I hope the US sees sense and we get back to a more normalised, appropriate global trade dynamic’

Aircraft leasing magnate Dómhnal Slattery knows what it’s like to navigate a tricky financial project through the teeth of a vicious recession.

Slattery founded his company, Avolon, in 2010, amid the ruins of the global economy, when most banks and investment firms were either bankrupt or striving to avoid that fate.

“I think Avolon could survive anything. Why? Because think about where it started: the middle of the absolute worst crisis in the ...