---
title: "Irish consumer sentiment holds steady ahead of election"
description: "Consumer sentiment in Ireland remained stable at 74.1 in November, as voters await the outcome of the upcoming general election. The current centre-right coalition is favored to retain power amid discussions on Ireland's low-tax business model. Concerns over potential US policy changes are influencing Irish consumer attitudes, prompting a cautious approach. Despite being below the long-term average, the sentiment index shows improvement compared to last year's figure of 61.9, reflecting a recovery from high inflation."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-11-27-irish-consumer-sentiment-holds-steady-ahead-of-election/"
published: "2024-11-27T05:37:38"
updated: "2024-11-27T05:37:40"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 192
---

# Irish consumer sentiment holds steady ahead of election

> Irish consumer sentiment holds steady ahead of election

By Reuters · Published 27 November 2024, 07:37 SAST · Updated 27 November 2024, 07:37 SAST

## Key points
- As Ireland braces for a general election that could reshape its political landscape, consumer sentiment remains as steady as a pint of Guinness, reflecting cautious optimism amidst the swirling uncertainties of US policy changes and their potential hangover effects on the Emerald Isle.
- Consumer sentiment in Ireland remained stable at 74.1 in November, as voters await the outcome of the upcoming general election.
- The current centre-right coalition is favored to retain power amid discussions on Ireland's low-tax business model.
- Concerns over potential US policy changes are influencing Irish consumer attitudes, prompting a cautious approach.
- Despite being below the long-term average, the sentiment index shows improvement compared to last year's figure of 61.9, reflecting a recovery from high inflation.

## Content

Consumer sentiment was unchanged in Ireland in November with respondents waiting to judge the outcome of this week's Irish general election and potential fallout from the recent US presidential election, a survey showed on Wednesday.

Ireland goes to the polls on Friday with the current centre-right led coalition [favourites](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL5N3MW0AF&linkedFromStory=true) to be re-elected, however part of the debate has centred on the [exposure](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3MR0JT&linkedFromStory=true) of Ireland's low-tax business model to potential policy changes in the United States.

The Credit Union Consumer Sentiment index held steady at 74.1, well below its long-term average of 84.3 but considerably higher than the reading of 61.9 a year ago when Ireland was still grappling with high inflation.

"We think the unfolding US election result, the upcoming general election in Ireland and an increasing uncertainty about what the future may hold could have prompted Irish consumers to hit a pause button," the report's authors said.

"In circumstances where concerns about the possible impact of policy changes in the US on the Irish economy attracted considerable attention, an unchanged Irish consumer sentiment reading should probably not be seen in a negative light."

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Sarah Young)