CSO’s suppression of certain data a 'serious' barrier to understanding Ireland’s economy

An analysis by the Irish Examiner shows that the Central Statistics Office cites "confidentiality reasons" for suppressing details on six of the 27 sectors of the economy in its industrial production releases

ESRI research professor Kieran McQuinn and senior economist Jim Power have told the Irish Examiner that the continuing policy of the Central Statistics Office in suppressing detailed industrial output data on the grounds of confidentiality is a barrier to their making analyses on productivity across the economy. File picture: Larry Cummins.

Leading economists have told of their frustration that the practice of suppressing some official statistics is getting in the way of understanding the economy.  

ESRI research professor Kieran McQuinn and senior economist Jim Power have told the Irish Examiner that the continuing policy of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in suppressing detailed industrial output data on the grounds of confidentiality is a barrier to their making analyses on productivity across the economy. It could also potentially hinder understanding the flows of corporation tax receipts into the Exchequer, they warn.