Professor Gerard Quinn:

In the field of economic, social and cultural rights there is a principle of progressive achievement, under which we ratchet forward higher levels of enjoyment of social entitlement, etc. One issue that has been inadequately explored, but which is present in the international jurisprudence, relates to the principles governing a situation where there is inevitable regression, as happens in economic downturns. It is purely a personal view but I believe it would be an excellent project for any incoming commission to articulate these principles with clarity. My personal faith - it may be blind faith - is that if people see that there is transparency and some attempt to set bounds beneath which people cannot fall, then they are willing to accept more of the necessary constraints that we all need to move forward.