That 2004 Feeling: All the economic data points to most businesses having to adjust their overheads and expectations to 2004 levels Retail Gloom: Uncertainty over job prospects is causing consumers to stop spending, and that spells bad news for the economy Jobless Surge: Ireland's unemployment crisis gathered pace in February, when 110,000 more people were on the Live Register than five months ago One-third of businesses in Ireland conduct cross-border trade though enthusiasm in the North is more marked than in the South Glimmer Of Hope: Business activity in manufacturing and services took another pounding through March but the contraction wasn't as alarming as previous months Bottoming Out? - Economic data seems to suggest that Ireland's recession is past the most acute point. But plenty of ifs and buts surround a recovery in 2010 Consumer Meltdown: Turnover across nearly all retail sectors has plummeted as consumer sentiment sours Downward Trends: Recent economic data show little sign that the recession has touched bottom Many of the world's economies look like they've touched bottom but that's not yet the case in Ireland Give Us A Job: One in five people in the labour force is on the dole and retailers are in for a tough Christmas; Plus other economic indicators Waiting For Brian: Businesses and consumers continue to batten down the hatches ahead of Brian Lenihan's Budget 2010 Tax receipts; Live Register; Factory Output; Services Sector; House Prices Exports; New Cars; Consumer Sentiment; Hourly Earnings; Tourism; Household Income; Currency Review Bye Bye Inflation: Lower interest rates and fuel prices, combined with the economic downturn, mean that deflation not inflation will be a theme through 2009 No Respite In 2009: Economists see little hope of a recovery in the Irish economy through 2009 and the omens aren't good for 2010 either Services Contraction - The mood in the services sector has darkened as customers put their purchasing decisions on hold Grim Outlook - The deleveraging of private sector debt looks set to rein back growth in the Irish economy until 2010 Brian's Dreamland - Economists believe Brian Lenihan's tax expectations for 2009 are far too optimistic and that only a cull of the public service can sort out Exchequer finances Sterling Impact - The slide in the value of sterling against the euro is a double blow for the indigenous manufacturing sector Exchequer Woes: Government finances are plunging deeper into the red as tax revenues falter and public spending powers ahead Skirting Recession: Black clouds continue to gather over the Irish economy with economists predicting no improvement until 2010 Confidence Dented: Business confidence among firms in the service sector is at its lowest level since the aftermath of 9/11 House Prices Sliding: The rate of house price decline has eased but tougher borrowing terms will likely mean the slump will continue Average earnings increased by over 5% through 2007 but Bank of Ireland expects more modest growth this year Nervous Consumers: Consumer sentiment fell in February following a string of job losses and many consumers now expect the economy to weaken in 2008, No More Celtic Tiger: Economic growth in 2008 is likely to be about half that in 2007 as the construction slowdown bites, but inflation should come under control Economic growth will slow in 2008, mainly due to fewer houses being built. But the provisions of Budget 2008 should ensure that business activity across most sectors will remain strong