Almost all executives believe the pace of public sector reform is too slow and think the Croke Park pay deal has had a negative impact on the Republic, a new survey shows.

A study of Irish executives by Amárach Consulting for corporate head hunters, Merc Partners, shows close to 60 per cent of senior executives in the Republic are more positive about the State’s economic prospects than they were a year ago.

However, 84 per cent are “dissatisfied” with the pace of public sector reform, and six out of 10 rank the problem as one of the most important issues to be addressed by Government over the next five years. Almost half, 47 per cent, believe the Croke Park deal, in which the Government agreed not to cut public sector pay in return for reform, has had a negative impact on the Republic.

Public sector reform is one of four issues those surveyed say should be tackled urgently.

The others are sealing the bank deal, stimulating growth and creating a climate for job creation. The vast majority of the 303 participants came from the private sector