Reasons to be optimistic on the state of the Irish economy

The National Accounts data for 2014 released by the CSO last week showed the economy expanded 4.8% on a GDP basis and 5.2% on a GNP basis last year as the recovery in activity gathered momentum.

The GNP figure compares with the growth rates of 3.3% and 1.1% registered in 2013 and 2012.

The figures also show that Ireland was the strongest growing EU economy last year. The rise in our GDP compares with growth of 0.9% for the eurozone and 2.6% in the UK in 2014.