Ireland's economic growth seven times the EU average
Ireland's economy grew by more than seven times the EU average between April and June this year, driven by exports of goods and personal consumption.
The Central Statistics Office says GDP grew by 1.5% in the second quarter compared to an EU average of 0.2%. There was 1% growth in Estonia and zero growth overall in the euro area.
GNP was also up 0.6% between April and June.
Preliminary estimates have GDP growing 1.5% in the second quarter compared with the period between January and March.
Year on year GDP was up 7.7%, while GNP grew 9% compared to the second quarter of 2013.
Finance Minister Michael Noonan said the figures showed the strongest growth rate recorded since the early 2000s.
