Ireland makes better progress on public deficit than unexpected - As a recipient of international financial assistance, Ireland has performed better than expected by sharply reducing its public deficit last year to 7.6% of GDP, as opposed to 13.4% in 2011. These are the most recent statistics published by the Statistics Office. In its forecasts, the Irish government was looking for a deficit of 8.2% to 2012. (IL/transl.fl)