Power warns against negative talk

One of Ireland's leading economists has warned that we run the risk of talking ourselves into a recession.

Speaking at the inaugural Heineken Ireland Open Forum in Cork this afternoon, Jim Power, chief economist, Friends First, said that the "merchants of economic doom" may be self fullfilling and risk compromising future economic growth.

"There is currently an inordinate amount of negativity permeating Irish economic debate. This is dangerous and could have the effect of undermining confidence and ultimately real economic activity and jobs," said Mr Power.

"The perpetrators of the extreme negativity should question their real motives and ask themselves if their comments are doing more harm than good. The effect of more considered, balanced, albeit critical commentary would be to force policy makers to focus on the policy issues that need to be addressed in order to avoid the more pessimistic outcomes".

The Heineken Ireland Open Forum is designed to provide insights and generate debate on issues of social, cultural or economic importance by providing a platform for commentators from a variety of fields to share their views and experiences.