The Irish economy expanded at its fastest rate since 2002 last year, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
The figures show a growth rate - as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) - of 6% for the year as a whole, boosted by a good performance by industry as well as strong growth in consumer spending. Gross national product (GNP) growth was 7.4%, the best figure since 2000.
But the national accounts show a slowing of housing activity in the final quarter of last year. The numbers also suggest that Irelands export boom is over, with the volume of goods exported down by 2.4% by the end of the year. There were better fortunes, however, for the service sector with exports of services up 12.8% for the year as a whole.
Consumer spending grew by 6.2% in 2006, a slightly slower pace than in 2005. Capital investment growth also slowed sharply to 3.9%, but industrial output growth accelerated from 3.4% to 6.1%.
For the fourth quarter of 2006, GNP grew at an annual rate of 7.5%, GDP by 5%.
