Inflation rate unchanged at 3.9% last month
Ireland's inflation rate remained unchanged at 3.9% last month, according to the latest consumer price index published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) today.
The slowdown follows five consecutive monthly rises since December 2005, when the rate was just 2.5%.
The CSO says inflation in June was mainly driven by higher mortgage interest repayments, higher air fares and the increased prices being charged by restaurants and hotels.
Meanwhile, other figures published by the statistics agency today show that Ireland's economy is continuing to grow strongly, with GDP up 5.8% in the first quarter of 2006 and GNP up 7%.
GNP is usually considered a more accurate measure of the wealth of the Irish economy as it excludes profits made by foreign-owned businesses.
The CSO says Ireland's GNP growth is being driven by higher consumer spending, increased capital investment and the rising value of Ireland's net exports.
