Ireland France chamber members reporting postive signs for economy

According to the findings, 50pc of IFCC members have seen an increase in business activity levels over the past three months while 8pc increased the average price they charge for the same period.

Seventy-five percent said they had maintained or increased business revenues over the period. Some 94pc expect to maintain or increase business revenues over the next three months

Seventy-nine percent said the rate of incoming business to be level or higher in the last quarter compared to the previous quarter

Despite this increase in business revenues and activity, 64pc believe the Irish Government is still not doing enough to stimulate economic growth. The same proportion anticipate a recovery in the Irish economy within the next two years with the IT sector predicted by most (70pc) as the industry that will recover first.

The survey also found that 70pc of members believe there should not be an outright ban on the sponsorship of sport by alcohol companies.

“The findings are very positive and indicate that the Irish economy is starting to show signs of improvement with a significant majority seeing increased revenues over the last three months,” said Gerry Halpenny of LK Shields, president of the Ireland France Chamber of Commerce.

“Added to the increase in business activity, it is very assuring to see positive forecasts for the coming months. As a bilateral trade organisation, it is encouraging that nearly a quarter of respondents have experienced an increase in incoming business from abroad.”

Members of the IFCC include Air France KLM, Alstom Ireland, BNP Paribas, CACI, Caceis, CRH, Febvre & Company, LK Shields Solicitors, Mazars, O’Callaghan Hotels, Renault Ireland, Sanofi, Schneider Electric, Servier, Veolia Environnement, Smurfit Kappa, Nutricia Infant Nutrition (Group Danone), Smartbox and Pembroke Communications. Some 150 members took part in the survey.