DAVY VIEW

We expect Irish GDP growth of 5% in 2019 (versus 5.6% previously) and 4.1% in 2020. Activity at end-2018 was a little weaker than expected, with some indicators such as the PMIs having softened. However, the big picture is that the economic performance remains strong despite what may be the peak of Brexit uncertainty. Exports are likely to prove resilient to weaker global demand, concentrated in defensive sectors such as pharmaceuticals and agri-food and with foreign direct investment (FDI) remaining strong.