Strong Sustained Economic Growth

* Fastest growing economy in Eurozone, 5th consecutive year of economic expansion.

* Broad based growth; Consumer spend +4.2%, construction +11% and exports +9.8%, all contributing positively to growth.

* Ireland ranks 6th of 63 countries benchmarked in the 2017
IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, up one place from last year.

* Ireland’s debt to GDP ratio (75%) is also on a firm downward trajectory below the Euro area (90%) and EU (85%) averages.

* Irish Government Debt has an A rating with all major rating agencies with stable to positive outlooks forecast.