Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I was interested to hear Dr. McDonnell say that the economy is not overheating. While I agree that might be the case in terms of inflation, in other areas, such as housing, transport and so on we are, to use a different language, facing capacity constraints. Is there any economic analysis to which we could turn which shows how to ramp up capital spend in particular areas, as we need to do in the areas of housing and transport, without losing efficiencies? Are there any good examples of how to increase housing expenditure rapidly while at the same time ensuring no loss or reduced capacity constraint in the economy to provide housing?

I was also interested to hear Dr. McDonnell say that people in the middle income bracket pay a sufficient amount of tax and as such our profile of income tax is not that out of line. On the issue of our profile of income tax not being out of line, in regard to the arguments around abolition of the universal social charge, is our profile on the income tax side unusual in that regard? Is there any evidence or analysis in that regard?

In regard to the options set out by Deputy Stephen Donnelly and other possible revenue streams, including a possible revision to the property tax, has the institute undertaken any particular analysis or research of proposals on the property tax side?