The Quarterly National Accounts (QNA) is a CSO publication that shows the state of the Irish economy as a whole. While there are many economic indicators available, the QNA is the definitive short-term view on the shape of the Irish economy. Published around nine weeks after the end of the quarter, it shows Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the previous three months and all periods back as far as the first quarter of 1995.
The QNA also provides the details that show what is driving changes in GDP. In Ireland we calculate Constant Price GDP by two independent methods: Output and Expenditure, and the QNA breaks down GDP as it is calculated by these two Methods. For the Output Method, it shows the contributions of the different Economic Activity Sectors (for example, agriculture or industry) to GDP. For the Expenditure Method it shows the contributions to GDP of personal consumption, government consumption, capital formation and net exports. More detailed breakdowns of the components of GDP are available annually in the Annual National Accounts.
The Quarterly National Accounts are given in Current and Constant Prices, so that the price effect is removed from changes in GDP. It also provides indicators unique to Ireland like Gross Value Added for Foreign-owned Multinational Enterprises, Modified Final Domestic Demand and Modified Total Domestic Demand, which remove the distorting effect of Globalisation on GDP.