Figures show economy grew last year for first time since 2007

Ireland’s economy will have grown throughout last year for the first time since 2007, economists have said.

However, two forecasts have predicted the economy will struggle to record significant growth over the remainder of 2012 with consumer spending continuing to fall.

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) think tank said in its quarterly forecast that the economy will have grown by 0.9% last year.