‘State risks repeating pre-crash mistakes’

The head of the Nevin Economic Research Institute has said Ireland must decide the type of country it wants to be by 2030, warning there are signs currently that the economy may be going down the same path which dragged it into the recent recession.

Tom Healy, NERI director, said the sense of gloom, uncertainty and shock that pervaded the economic landscape in 2009-2011 has abated considerably with fewer households in negative equity, falling dole queues, rising spending in the shops and the long farewell to the troika.

However, he also raised concerns about the foundations upon which the current recovery is being based.