Ireland

Ireland continues to be among the euro area’s top growth performers. Real GDP expanded by 5.2 percent in 2016, aided by favorable labor market dynamics and improved balance sheets. Foreign-owned multinational enterprises (MNEs) play an important role in the economy, although their large scale and complex operations complicate assessment of underlying activity. While a steady reduction in crisis legacies is underway, continuity in recovery efforts will be key to ensuring that gains are sustainable and broadly shared.