Irish GDP revision eases debt target

Research and development (R&D) costs and illegal activities have been added into Ireland's GDP for the first time, enlarging the economy by 10bn euros ($13.6bn; £7.9bn).

Irish finance minister says new EU calculation could add over 1 percent to GDP

(Reuters) - New EU rules on calculating economic output could boost Ireland's gross domestic product by over 1 percent and mean a little less austerity next year, Finance Minister Michael Noonan said on Wednesday.

Euro zone first-quarter growth disappoints, puts pressure on ECB to act

(Reuters) - The euro zone economy grew much less than expected at the start of the year and inflation remained locked in the 'danger zone' below 1 percent, increasing pressure on the European Central Bank to ease monetary policy at its next meeting in June.

ECB's Asmussen says Ireland should stick to austerity target

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland should not ease up on austerity in its annual budget next month but stick to a target of 3.1 billion euros ($4.2 billion) worth of spending cuts and tax hikes, European Central Bank Executive Board member Joerg Asmussen said on Saturday.

Irish unemployment rate dips to 13.5%: Official data

DUBLIN: Ireland's unemployment rate retreated last month to the lowest level since April 2010, official data showed on Wednesday.

Spain marks two years of contraction in second quarter

MADRID: Spain's two-year economic slump showed signs of coming to an end in the second quarter, data showed on Tuesday, but weak domestic demand and looming fresh austerity measures mean a sustained recovery may still be far off.

Fiscal cliff setback rattles global shares, euro

LONDON – Global stock markets weakened on Friday and both the euro and gold slipped, as a new setback in talks to avert a U.S. fiscal crisis and evidence of Europe's ongoing economic difficulties stoked investor nerves.