The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barosso has said the Irish economy has turned a corner.
Mr Barosso has been speaking at the IBEC CEO Conference in Dublin.
He said confidence is returning thoughout Europe, but more needs to be done to tackle youth unemployment.
The EC President also said there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Mr Barosso said: "The Irish economy is turning the corner. The employment figures published today suggest clearly that this may be happening.
"It shows that the programmes can work, it shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel and it shoes that you can be part of the creating that positive growth."