Ireland votes: Economic recovery, austerity take top spots

Global Business

Ireland is going to the polls on Friday. The first general elections since it exited the EU-IMF bailout program in 2013.

The country’s economy may be seeing the fastest growth for two years in the row, but the austerity cuts that helped the recovery are not popular with the Irish.

CCTV’s Lourda Sexton reports from Dublin.
Follow Lourda Sexton on Twitter @lourdasexton

The Irish government says it is now the fastest growing economy in the eurozone for the second year in a row, but many people say they haven’t felt any recovery.

Ireland’s economic crash was one of the toughest in Europe, yet fast forward 8 years and it’s hard to believe that Ireland is now the fastest growing economy in the eurozone.
While Ireland is seen as a poster child for recovery overseas, many are quick to point out that the recovery has not trickled down to everyone in society.

Unemployment levels have dropped to 8.6% from highs of over 15% in 2011 and while the economy has turned a corner many issues still remain.

There is a severe shortage of adequate housing and the country’s healthcare system requires much investment.


Senior Economist Gerard Brady on Ireland’s economy

The Irish economy is said to be growing fast. CCTV America’s Owen Fairclough spoke to Gerard Brady. He is a Senior Economist at the Irish Business and Employers Confederation.