A business sentiment survey has found that Irish business conditions are weakening overall, but that circumstances vary widely between sectors and even between firms.
According to the study by IIB bank and the Institute of Chartered Accountants, more than half see their business flat or improving, leading to the conclusion that the Irish economy is weakening but not in freefall.
It found that firms are still notably more upbeat about their own prospects than about the broad economic outlook.
However there was no great optimism that an early economic rebound will take place.
More than half of Irish firms see weak growth persisting for one to two years while a further one in four think it will last even longer.
Rising costs and the credit crunch are also said to be taking a significant toll.
