Economic Review and Outlook 2000

This report was prepared in the Department of Finance. It opens with a tabular summary of the main economic aggregates, including revised fore-casts for 2000. A commentary on the economic situation follows in Part I. This identifies the main challenges which will have to be addressed if the economic progress of recent years is to be maintained. Part II deals with the international economic situation. Part III describes developments in the domestic economy in 1999 and also deals with trends and forecasts for 2000. The Appendix presents more detailed budgetary and economic statistics.

The Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy, TD, today, 23 August 2000, announced the publication of the annual Economic Review and Outlook, which contains the Department of Finance revised forecasts for the economy for 2000. The forecasts cover the main economic indicators and point to continuing strong growth in the economy.The Minister welcomed the continuation of the strong economic performance of recent years as manifested in the record numbers