KEY ISSUESThe Irish economy is in the early stages of recovering from an exceptionally severe banking crisis. Following a smooth exit from the EU-IMF supported program, strong job creation and other indicators suggest Ireland's economic recovery is broadening. Together with other European periphery countries, Ireland currently enjoys favorable financial market conditions. Nonetheless, important challenges remain, with unemployment still high, credit continuing to contract, and significant public and private balance sheet fragilities.Policies to help sustain the recovery and progressively reduc