Irish economy ‘to keep growing’ despite headwinds
Latest CSO data yesterday showed that the economy, in GDP terms, increased 7.8% in 2015 and 5.7% in GNP terms, which excludes contribution from multinational companies. The GDP reading comfortably beat some forecasts, which had pencilled in a 7% increase, and meant Ireland was the fastest growing economy in the EU for a second consecutive year. It outpaced eurozone growth by almost five times and hit the highest expansion rate since 2000.
The fourth quarter of the year saw GDP grow 2.7% on the preceding three months and 9.2% on an annualised basis. Even with some considerable potential headwinds, consensus thinking is for further growth of at least 5% in 2016.





