The Irish economy grew slightly better than forecast last year according to official figures just published.

The Central Statistics Office says there was GDP growth of four-point-eight percent - the Government's last prediction for the year was four-point-seven percent.

Ireland's growth rate is now five times the euro area average as every sector of the economy provided positive growth last year.

In the final quarter of 2014, GDP increased by nought-point-two percent over the previous quarter with agriculture proving to be one of the major contributors.