evidence: Ireland recorded the highest increase in economic growth in the euro zone in the second quarter of this year, new figures from Eurostat show today. The country recorded GDP growth of 3.3% in the three months to the end of June, compared to the previous quarter. It was followed by Lithuania, which grew by 2.8%. On an annual basis, Ireland also saw the best rate of growth at 2.8%, followed by Portugal with growth of 2.3% and Spain at 1.8%.