With Irish M&A and corporate finance deal volume for 2004 well up on 2003 figures, early indicators are that this increase in activity is set to continue throughout 2005. Recent uncertainties in the global economy aside, all of the key indicators in this part of the world are still positive and low interest rates, pent-up demand, improved market confidence and competition across all sectors point to a buoyant M&A market in Ireland.
Until recently, overseas acquisitions by Irish companies were the preserve of a couple of the larger financial institutions and a limited number of other plcs. A strong trend in 2004 was the level of overseas M&A activity by Irish private companies and consortia of Irish investors, with notable transactions in the UK, and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
