Come back 2011, all is forgiven

Stop press, or whatever  you must do on the internet. Here’s some far better news to round off the year.

Back in May I wrote an article called Export figures flatter to deceive – well they don’t any more. The story said that while exports were doing well they were still behind levels last seen in 2002, pre boom.

But exports from Ireland are now greater than they were before the global recession, according to the industrial promotion body Enterprise Ireland.

In an end of year statement, it says record levels of exports have been achieved in 2011.

Despite the strong performance, it says that employment in export-driven companies rose only slightly this year.

The agency’s chief executive Frank Ryan said that Irish companies have proved “resilient and relentless” in seeking out new market opportunities.

However, he warned that 2012 would be a year of continuing challenges.