Bust warning signs ‘flashing since 2001’

The warning lights about the Irish economy were flashing for up to decade before the crisis struck that has turned the country into one of the most indebted in the world.

Some commentators read the signs and tried to raise the alarm, but it was ignored by the government and missed by most economists.

Ten key indicators intended to act as an early warning system to all EU countries show the extent of the problem.