IBEC is forecasting strong growth in the Irish economy this year.

The employers group says it expects GDP to be 5.4 percent – up from its previous estimate of 4.8 percent at the end of last year.

It also says unemployment will fall below 9 percent in 2015.

Chief Economist at IBEC Fergal O'Brien, says favourable exchange rates, quantitative easing and lower oil prices are why they've decided to revise up their growth forecast.