http://hdl.handle.net/2262/62009 Tue, 21 May 2013 19:28:28 GMT 2013-05-21T19:28:28Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/61831 Title: Measuring trends in male mortality by socio-economic group in Ireland: a note on the quality of the data Author: O'Shea, Eamon Abstract: The objective of this paper is to examine measurement issues and data problems in the analysis of trends in male mortality differentials by socio-economic group (SEG) in Ireland between 1981 and 1991. The study is based on mortality data supplied by the Central Statistics Office and population data taken from the 1981 and 1991 Census. The recording of the occupation of decedents worsened between 1981 and 1991, making it impossible to discuss trends in mortality differentials by SEG in Ireland with any confidence. Significantly more deceased people ended up in the residual “unknown” occupational category in 1991 than in 1981. This is related to an increasing problem of apportioning “gainfully employed” decedents to a socio-economic group rather than to any problem with people described as “not gainfully employed”. This is all we can say at the moment with respect to the analysis of trends in mortality by 12-category SEG in this country. Tue, 01 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/61831 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/61371 Title: Economic adjustment within EMU: Ireland’s experience Author: MacCoille, Conall; McCoy, Daniel Abstract: This paper examines the contribution of Balassa-Samuelson (B-S) type effects to inflationary pressures in Ireland. Irish productivity measures are exaggerated by foreign multinationals engaged in high value-added activities. These measures suggest that high productivity in the traded sectors explain most of the inflation differential. Using adjusted measures to account for the multinational effect, shorter-term demand side factors become more significant in explaining the inflation differential. Domestic fiscal and incomes policies are therefore an important source of adjustment for the Irish economy within a monetary union. Tue, 01 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/61371 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/60725 Title: The effects of EMU on the Finnish economy: some early conjectures Author: Tarkka, Juha Abstract: This paper analyses the convergence of the Finnish economy to the monetary policy regime of the EMU. We review the expectations on the effects of EMU membership which prevailed before the union was established, and compare those with actual outcomes for Finland in the first years of the EMU. It seems that the de facto membership in the new policy regime, began approximately at the beginning of 1997. The significant improvement of some traditional structural imbalances of the Finnish economy is reported. It is argued that the improvement of monetary policy credibility can explain much of the improved performance of the economy. Tue, 01 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/60725 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/60366 Title: Spain [stet] accession to the EMU: a long and hilly road Author: Balmaseda, Manuel; Sebastian, Miguel; Tello, Petry Abstract: Europe has been the driving force of economic policy in Spain over the last four decades and the key factor behind the modernisation and globalisation of the Spanish Economy. Being a founding member of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) marked the achievement of one of the key goals in the process of European integration. This process was carried out in several stages. First, trade openness, which was bolstered by Spanish accession to the EEC in 1986 and the single market in 1992, and foreign direct investment abroad and portfolio investment, which grew exponentially in the run-up to Euro membership. Second, the process of nominal convergence, which allowed a more stable macroeconomic framework. Lower inflation and fiscal consolidation have resulted in higher sustainable growth. However, the process of real integration could have been even more successful. Spain’s income per capita still lies at 84 per cent of the European average. The slow pace of reform, in particular in the labour market, with high labour costs leading to persistent unemployment, and an inappropriate policy-mix in the late 1980s prevented Spain from reaping the full benefits of integration and of EMU. Achieving real convergence is the key challenge facing the Spanish economy in the future and Europe will remain a focal point in this venture. Tue, 01 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/60366 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/60128 Title: Retail interest rate pass-through: the Irish experience Author: Bredin, Don; Fitzpatrick, Trevor; O'Reilly, Gerard Abstract: In this paper, we examine the extent to which changes in the money market interest rate are passed through to a number of retail lending rates between 1980 and 2001. In addition, we analyse the speed of adjustment of these lending rates with respect to such changes in the money market rate. Our main findings are: (1) pass-through from the money market rate to lending rates is not complete (2) the speed of adjustment varies quite considerably across alternative lending rates and (3) there has been significant structural change in the relationship between the money market rate and lending rates both in terms of pass-through and speed of adjustment during this period. Tue, 01 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/60128 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z