How Is The Irish Economy Doing?

Contrary to what the Austerians are claiming, Ireland's economy doesn't look too good (h/t Krugman):

There was an annual decrease in employment of 2.5% or 46,000 in the year to the
third quarter of 2011, bringing total employment to 1,805,500. This compares with
an annual decrease in employment of 2.0% in the previous quarter and a decrease
of 3.7% in the year to Q3 2010.

Doesn't look like growth to me.  While U.S. economic numbers are looking better, the rest of the world is getting pretty scary.  What's looking scary to me is the possibility of another crisis next year leading to the election of one of the GOP's clowns running for President.  We can get by with a horrible economy, but Newt Gingrich in charge of running the country is terrifying.