Expert queries index rankings

IRELAND’S weak position on the World Economic Forum index was questioned yesterday by Dr Sean Barrett, a senior lecturer of economics at Trinity College Dublin.

Dr Barrett said he was surprised that Ireland was placed in 26th position in the World Economic Forum this year and Finland was placed in the number one position for the fourth time in five years.

He said that Ireland has been a star performer in the OECD and Irish growth rates outperformed Finland by a factor of 3.5 times. He added that Irish GDP per head is 15% greater than Finland.