G8 leaders have said that world economic prospects remained weak even though risks have lessened due partly to policy action taken in the US, the eurozone and Japan.
At the G8 Summit in Co Fermanagh British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced plans for what he said could be "the biggest bilateral trade deal in history" between the EU and the US.
EU Trade Ministers meeting in Luxembourg have reached agreement on how to proceed with free-trade talks with the United States.
Global IT company EMC has announced the creation of 200 jobs in Cork.
A row between the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund over the first Greek bailout has intensified significantly.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said decisiveness, clarity and courage is required rather than a row between the IMF and Europe over how the Greek bailout was constructed.
The European Commission has clashed with the International Monetary Fund over their handling of the first Greek bailout.
Local councils in Northern Ireland have painted fake shop fronts and covered derelict buildings with huge billboards to hide the economic hardship being felt in towns and villages near the golf resort where G8 leaders will meet this month.
The monthly €1m draw of the State Prize Bonds, has been scrapped, it will now only take place every second month.
The Government has launched a scheme that will see €175m in seed and venture capital funding made available for some Irish companies.
Disposable income levels are showing signs of stabilisation for the first time since 2011.