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Josef Horazny/Czech News Agency/PA Images

Eurozone sinks further into recession in last quarter of 2012

Figures from Eurostat confirm initial estimates in February that the eurozone economy shrank by 0.6 per cent in Q4 of 2012 with the EU shrinking by 0.5 per cent.

THE EUROZONE SUNK further into recession in the last three months of 2012 as the debt crisis continued to exact a heavy price according to new data released today.

The eurozone economy shrank 0.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with the third quarter when it contracted 0.1 per cent, the Eurostat data agency said, confirming initial estimates given in February.

For the full 27-member European Union, the economy was 0.5 per cent smaller in the fourth quarter after a marginal gain of 0.1 per cent in the third, Eurostat said.

A recession is counted as two consecutive quarterly economic contractions. Compared with fourth quarter 2011, the eurozone economy was down 0.9 per cent and the EU bloc of 27 off 0.6 per cent.

Among the major economies, European powerhouse Germany shrank 0.6 per cent in the fourth quarter after a gain of 0.2 percent in the third and France slipped 0.3 per cent after growth of 0.1 per cent.

There was no data supplied for Ireland which will not confirm its fourth quarter figures until the end of this month.

Non-euro Britain lost 0.3 per cent after sharp growth of 1.0 percent in the third quarter, boosted by the London Olympics.

Among the fourth quarter best performers were Estonia, which grew 0.9 percent and Lithuania, up 0.7 percent, while bailed-out Portugal was the weakest, with its economy shrinking 1.8 percent.

Eurostat said that for 2012 as a whole, the eurozone economy contracted 0.6 percent and the EU 0.3 percent.

Data so far for 2013 suggests the European economy is stabilising after a very bad 2012 but the outlook remains weak and uncertain.

- additional reporting from Hugh O’Connell

© AFP 2013

Read: Davy revises projections for growth in Irish economy… upward

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    Mute Colm Molloy
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    Sep 24th 2014, 7:33 AM

    Well done all, hopefully a whole range of jobs and money will be created by supplying the domestic and worldwide markets
    I’d rather buy this product than one where almost all the purchase money leaves the country
    Hopefully as much as possible is manufactured here and the after sales servicing supplied from here too

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    Mute David Burke
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    Sep 24th 2014, 9:04 AM

    Pretty sure none of it’s manufactured here as there is no money in that. Money is designing and selling the things and running the company.

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    Mute alex
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    Sep 24th 2014, 7:36 AM

    Way over priced, see inspire home automation for better alternative….

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    Mute David Burke
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    Sep 24th 2014, 9:03 AM

    Had one for a few years now and it’s been useful. The only thing is lots Irish people will see very marginal savings as we are already so stingy with the immersion and heating. In places like the US where people just stick the heating on all day smart meters can make a huge difference. Ireland not so much.

    Nest is actually pretty poor but very fashionable.

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    Mute Rangertwozero
    Favourite Rangertwozero
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    Sep 24th 2014, 8:40 AM

    Looks like a nice gadget to have in the house. Unfortunately most people probably won’t be able to afford it only for the rich among us. Good idea though.

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    Mute J
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    Sep 24th 2014, 8:02 AM

    Horrible name

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    Mute Myles
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    Sep 24th 2014, 10:41 AM

    €400…ouch
    No outside temperature sensor, how can you optimise start stop function?
    Sorry but the Austrian “WebBrick” is far better option and allows you to integrate more systems and it is similar price.

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    Mute James Darby
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    Sep 24th 2014, 9:12 AM

    Well done. Always a great entrepreneurial culture around Dundalk

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