Professionalising Economics
A new initiative from the Irish Economics Association (IEA), the umbrella body for professional research economists in Ireland, is worthy of note. The IEA has set out a series of ‘guiding principles’ for its members. In essence these set out how professional economists should be operating. The...
Monday Blog: Some questions about the Programme of (new) Government
The recent Programme of Government has set the scene for policy priorities for the coming three years. Clearly, much will depend on international events as well as developments closer to home in shaping the success of economic policy. The Programme is long on aspiration and light on detail – as...
Monday Blog: Easter Musings
In the course of a decade and a year of commemorations there has been much discussion and consideration about the past. Difficult issues and questions are negotiated and depending on which tradition one tends to associate with, particular emphasis will be placed on certain events or certain...
Euro Crisis: Causes and Some Solutions
The euro crisis may be burning at a low heat but that doesnt mean the euro area is any better designed than it was six months ago. The latest NERI inBrief and accompanying working paper and presentation discuss the causes of the euro crisis. They argue that long-term success and stability for the...
NERI Seminar Dublin: Estimating Demographic Change and Expenditure Pressures in Ireland over the Medium-Term: Preliminary Analysis
Estimating Demographic Change and Expenditure Pressures in Ireland over the Medium-Term: Preliminary Analysis The Irish population, which currently ranks as Europe’s youngest, is expected to grow fast and become older. Increasing trends in resident’s life expectancy and the gradual stabilisation of...
Monday Blog: A tale of two economies (or three?)
Paradoxically, since the 1990’s consideration of all-island or all-Ireland economic issues has fallen by the way. True, the peace process and associated mechanisms have continued to highlight the importance of cross-border trade and cooperation. These matters attract almost universal support and...
The Flawed currency union
In the NERI's Quarterly Economic Facts we often compare Irish performance against that of other EU or Euro area countries, for example in areas like the general government balance. While an interesting exercise in itself it is sometimes more useful to sit back and reflect on the bigger picture. The...
NERI Seminar Dublin: Fiscal Priorities for Long-Run Growth
The latest NERI seminar looked at the Irish economy’s recent performance and considered its medium-and-long-term prospects for growth. Over the course of the presentation a range of policy reforms to increase the economy’s long-run potential output were identified and discussed. Dr McDonnell set out...
Monday Blog: Why Northern Ireland needs a real fresh economic start
While economic recovery is evident in both jurisdictions there has been a worrying acceleration in job losses in Northern Ireland with some very significant losses expected in JTI Galagher and Michelin Tyres, both in Ballymena as well as 100 job losses in the US Engineering company, Caterpillar...
Monday Blog: Economic uncertainty
(this blog was composed prior to the recent tragic events in Paris. My thoughts and prayer are with the people of France and all nations suffering from acts of war and terror). Best of Times? was the title of a book published by researchers at the ESRI in the summer of 2007. The book followed on...