German consumer sentiment is strong heading into the new year - recent figures show that the German people are feeling positive about the country’s economic prospects for 2015.

Market research group GfK tracks consumer confidence in Germany, and this month it recorded its best results since December 2006.

The index reached 9.0 - experts polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected it to reach 8.8.

Buyers have benefitted from lower energy costs. They also express a belief that the German economy is turning a corner.

The monthly poll also showed that Germans do not believe that domestic issues will slow down the economy, but they do fear that external factors could hurt German growth.

GfK added: "Consumers assume the economic weakness in Germany is only temporary, and the domestic economy will return to the growth path in the next few months."

German's propensity to save fell to its lowest level since GfK started collecting data in 1991.

Improved confidence among German consumers is good for the Irish economy because it is one of Ireland's main export markets.

This is also good news for the struggling eurozone - it needs a strong German economy to stimulate economic activity.