Irish economy will grow 4.9% in 2005

The rate of growth in the Irish economy is set to exceed that of the global economy in 2005, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. For the Republic of Ireland, the unit is forecasting that GDP growth will remain steady at 4.9% in 2005, with inflation to stay at low levels of about 2%. The growth will come as private consumption rises on the back of an upbeat economic outlook and a more robust outlook for jobs and incomes.