The economy grew by almost 2% in the second quarter of the year, and by by 6.7% on the same time last year, according to new figures from the CSO.

However the Finance Minister, Michael Noonan, has warned this won't lead to a "daft spending spree" in the budget, despite it being an election year.

He insisted today that here won't be a daft spending spree in the budget just because it is an election year.

However the Minister warned that the government must act with a steady hand to avoid a slip back towards a crisis mode.

Mr Noonan said that despite the good figures revealed today, the budget will be in line with what they announced in the Spring Statement.

He said that despite the strong growth, there is plenty of work left to do.