Dr. Conor O'Toole:

When trying to explain trends at a local level, factors like income, unemployment or market structure in those areas will impact house prices differently from other areas. For example, the purchasing power of one's income to purchase a house in Laois will be different from what it may be in south or north Dublin, Donegal or Kerry. These markets operate on the basis of the economic conditions at play in those areas at that point in time. Moving from the national picture to the county development plan, one has to make sure these policies are appropriate on the ground in the local areas.