Clinton goes to bat for Ireland
While the Greek crisis seems to be going from bad to worse, the economic news from this country is getting considerably better, particularly on the jobs front.
Yesterday nearly 500 new jobs in Leixlip, Galway, Sligo and Cork were announced by IDA-supported companies.
The good news follows on from the IDA's strong 2011 performance when it created a net 6,000 new jobs.
The announcement came on the same day that former US President Bill Clinton chaired a conference in New York targeted at major American companies who have yet to invest in this country.
President Clinton, who since leaving office over a decade ago has continued to support Irish causes, told the gathering that US company bosses would be "nuts" not to invest in Ireland.
With the IDA on the case and President Clinton's endorsement ringing in their ears, those US companies who have not yet invested in Ireland can expect to hear a lot more about this country's attractions in the weeks and months ahead.
Now that 2012 has got off to a good start we can expect more jobs announcements from the IDA before the year is very much older.
