Talking up Irish economy

The 28% increase was also helped by UK and U.S. activities, and an intensive cost-cutting drive within the bank, to control and reduce costs across Ireland’s second largest financial services company, behind AIB.
During and after the results, the bank also launched what appeared to be a coordinated PR assault to talk up the prospects for the Irish economy, with senior figures seeking to counter negative domestic and media sentiment that the boom may be over.
“The economy in Ireland is in great shape and the medium-term prospects remain positive,” said the Bank of Ireland group chief executive Brian Goggin.
Underlying or net profits of