Ireland top for eurozone growth

THE Irish economy grew by 5.5% in 2004, the highest rate of growth since 2000, according to preliminary figures by the Central Statistics Office.

The results show that Ireland has sustained its status as the fastest growing country in the eurozone 12 over nine of the past 10 years.

The CSO said the figure was based on gross national product (GNP), which is regarded as the most accurate measurement of economic performance as it excludes profits made by foreign companies.