The Central Bank has revised its outlook upwards by 1% with gains in employment and incomes are expected to remain the main driver of growth.

The resources to build a future for Ireland based on a vibrant economy, decent services, just taxation, good governance and long term sustainability exist and it is now just a question of political choices, argues Fr Sean Healy of Social Justice Ireland.

The Government’s competitiveness watchdog yesterday warned the bedrock of the country’s recent economic revival was under threat, on the same day Ireland’s mantle as Europe’s fastest growing economy was further cemented by "spectacular" growth figures.

The Central Bank has changed its forecast for growth in the economy, saying it now expects it to outperform what it previously thought.

Even the National Association of Anti-Climaxes would have refused the Spring Statement entry to its ranks for fear of reducing their already disappointing reputation to an all time low in the minds of right thinking people, suggests political correspondent Shaun Connolly.

New car sales jumped by almost a third last month compared to 2014 — with more than 15,000 cars sold.

IT’S been nearly a decade since the then German ambassador to Ireland, Christian Pauls, found himself in hot water over a less than valedictory speech he made to German businessmen about Ireland.

Ireland's Central Bank snubbed warnings from a top figure in the country's leading economic think-tank eight years ago about the dangerous scale of loans to speculators and developers, an inquiry has heard.

Central Bank governor Patrick Honohan has said a corner "has clearly been turned" in solving Ireland’s mortgage debt crisis, but warned it will take a long time for the issue to be fully cured.

The positive revision of growth figures from the Central Bank yesterday – up to 4.5% from 2.5% — is another welcome indication that our economy is turning the corner. These figures, unimaginable even a short while ago, must be a cause for some guarded optimism.

The Central Bank has made its biggest ever upward revision of growth but wants the Government to do "more than the minimum necessary" to bring thebudget deficit comfortably below 3%.

Yesterday’s European Commission progress report, the one based on principles aimed at reaching a point where the public finances — and services — are stabilised and sustainable, leaves little enough wriggle room for a Government that would dearly like to be able to sweeten the 2015 budget when it is announced in a few months.

The news that the economy is on target to grow further this year and next and that unemployment will fall below the EU average is to be welcomed, yet caution must still be exercised.

After years of decision-making at an elite level, a rights-based approach will give Irish people a stake in society, while necessary democratic reform will improve governance, says Fr Sean Healy.

The Government was wrong to promise tax cuts in next October’s budget as the uncertain economic backdrop makes it unlikely it will be able to deliver, according to a leading economist.

Former Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said that his government never saw the crash coming - and didn't have a plan B.

The 0.6% contraction in GDP over the first quarter of 2013, following on from the revised 0.2% shrinkage in the final quarter of last year, puts Ireland officially back in recession.

Ministers have dismissed troika calls to do more to cut the live register after the IMF described Ireland’s mass unemployment levels as “staggering”.

Social Justice Ireland has accused the Government of creating a "fractured society" through its economic policies.

The Taoiseach has moved to reassure investors in Ireland that their money is not at risk due to events in Cyprus.

Russia’s president Vladimir Putin has strongly criticised the Cyprus bank levy proposals. Russian companies have an estimated €13bn in the country.

The parliamentary vote on Cyprus's controversial bank-deposit levy is to be postponed, state media say.

Stock markets fell sharply today on fears that an unprecedented levy on bank deposits in Cyprus will plunge Europe back into crisis.

Cyprus’ president is trying to amend a key condition of a draconian eurozone bailout plan that would tax deposits in the country’s banks to reduce its effect on small savers.

We will all continue to feel the pinch of harsh budgets for the next few years despite economic growth in 2014, according to a new economic forecast.

House prices will slump further if pressure on the banks to step up repossessions leads to a flooded market.

The Irish banking crisis was caused by too much borrowing and poor supervision combined with reckless lending by European banks, according to Christine Lagarde, managing director of the IMF.

The policy of austerity is not working in the EU countries worst affected by the economic crisis, a report reveals.

Consumer spending power is set to stabilise this year with an increase in 2014, a leading business body has forecast.

The German cabinet has approved a raft of tougher new banking rules to shore up the financial sector against future crises.

The number of new homes being built has fallen to its lowest level in 40 years. Just 8,488 houses were finished last year - down nearly 2,000 on the previous year.

Eamon Gilmore will today tell world leaders there is an urgent need for an appropriate deal with the European Central Bank on the country’s debt.

The European Central Bank has dismissed Ireland's preferred route for a better deal on the terms of our bailout programme, according to a report from the Reuters news agency.

The Tánaiste is to push for a speedy resolution to Ireland's bank debt at a series of meetings with EU finance leaders today.

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy has said yesterday's successful debt auction is another sign that confidence is back in Ireland.

Ireland is to make its first visit to the bond market this year later today.

The in-house economist with property website Daft.ie has cautioned against being too optimistic on possible economic growth here next year.

Italian premier Mario Monti announced he is heading a new campaign coalition made of up centrists, business leaders and pro-Vatican forces who back his “ethical” vision of politics, aiming for a second mandate in office if his fledging reform movement wins in parliamentary elections.

Italian Premier Mario Monti said today he would not run in February’s elections, but if political parties that back his anti-crisis agenda ask him to head the next government he would consider the offer.

The Irish economy showed little improvement between July and September of this year, according to new figures released today.

Portuguese politicians are poised to authorise an unprecedented set of tax increases despite concerns that the latest austerity package will deepen the bailed-out country’s recession.

The 17 Eurozone countires have struck an agreement with the IMF on a programme to reduce Greek debt and put Athens on the way to get the next instalment of its much-needed bailout loans.

Hundreds of thousands of people across Europe joined demonstrations or went on strike today as they demanded that governments stop cutting benefits and create more employment.

Leading economist Colm McCarthy expects negotiations on Ireland's legacy debt issue to continue for another two years.