The Future Focus Blog

Arter an inspirational personal story from Richard Farleigh, Colm Lyon and Ronan Lyons had the task of brining us up to date with the challenges of the economy.

Here are some of the soundbites that were Tweeted:

krishnade: Colm McCarthy suggests that property related taxes led the collapse in the Irish economy #futurefocus

rogergalligan: #futurefocus McCarthy – property related taxes led to collapse in exchequer revenue €8bn -> €2bn due to fall in property transactions.

rogergalligan: #futurefocus McCarthy – property related taxes led to collapse in exchequer revenue €8bn -> €2bn due to fall in property transactions.

rogergalligan: #futurefocus McCarthy without 4 interventions debt would rise by 15% of gdp.Now it will be circa 10%. Will remain at 10% unless more changes

krishnade: 6 billion of hole in the exchequer in Ireland down to property and Colm McCarthy suggests UK will also have to take more action #futurefocus

krishnade: Colm McCarthy comments that Government spending will be up 6.9% on last year despite cuts #futurefocus

krishnade: Colm McCarthy “borrowing needs to be contained in 2009 and reduced decisively in 2010″ #futurefocus

fredchannel: Ronan: “4 Irish Elephants hiding at the back of the room: : Banking, budget, unemployment, property” #futurefocus

rogergalligan: #futurefocus Ronan Lyons, economist, now on feet. Green shoots of recovery…purchasing managers index is moving back upwards towards 50.

rogergalligan: #futurefocus quick question for audience…voting on when they think economy going to grow.. most plumb for “not for another year at least”.

krishnade: Comment that there has never been a more exciting time to start a new business due to technology says @ronanlyons #futurefocus

Real GDP 8.6% in 1995- 2002 vs 5.3% in 2002-2008

Real GNP 7.2% in 1995- 2002 vs 5.2% in 2002-2008

Real GNDI 7.0% in 1995- 2002 vs 3.5% in 2002-2008