Though it was among the nations hardest hit bey the 2007/8 economic crisis, Ireland's economy has bounced back. The European Commission forecast in February that the Irish economy would grow by 3,9% this year, the second highest growth rate in Europe. The recent index of consumer sentiment published by the economic ans social research Institute shows a 12,3 point drop in February. it was the largest monthly fall since December 2012. As a result, the sentiment index fell to its lowest level since November 2014. So why are Irish consumers among the most pessimistic in Europe?