With the phased lifting of many of the remaining COVID-19 public health restrictions, the third and fourth quarters of 2021 will be significant. Even before An Taoiseach’s address to the nation on 31st August, the recent resurgence of optimism was already evident amongst our members who responded to our Director Sentiment Monitor (DSM) survey for Q2 2021. The Government’s roadmap is a further boost for the economy and for wider society, so it is very much to be welcomed. Of course, any roadmap is subject to changing circumstances, but the Government’s announcement brings both clarity and certainty in the short term. Beyond that, it is to be hoped that the public health situation continues to improve.