The Irish economy grew around six times faster than the European average in the three months of April, May and June and is on course to come close to matching last year's 7.2pc expansion. The Irish economy grew around six times faster than the European average in the three months of April, May and June and is on course to come close to matching last year's 7.2pc expansion. Average growth in the European Union and in the smaller Euro-area was 0.4pc in the same period. Despite the sustained pace of growth there is little sign in the data that the economy is overheating, however. That may have only a minor effect on budget preparations because European Union fiscal rules tie spending capacity to GDP.

Source: Irish Independent September 14, 2018 01:30 UTC