Economic and Social Research Institute

About: Economic and Social Research Institute is a nonprofit organization based out in Dublin, Ireland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & European union. The organization has 425 authors who have published 1530 publications receiving 41567 citations.

Economic Regulation: Recentralisation of Power or Improved Quality of Regulation?

Abstract: The October 2009 Government Statement on Economic Regulation proposes a number of sensible reforms that are likely to improve regulatory performance in energy, airports, telecommunications, postal services and transport. However, the Government Statement also proposes to reduce the independence of regulators by holding them to account through a whole series of additional mechanisms, some of which are informal and lack transparency, while at the same time instructing regulators to take into account evolving/current - possible transient - priorities. There are good reasons for preserving and strengthening rather than undermining regulatory independence. For example, it facilitates investment in long-lived assets with a large element of sunk or irrecoverable investment, a common characteristic of network sectors. The Government Statement's unexplained move to reduce regulators' independence finds no support in either the government commissioned background report prepared by the Economic Intelligence Unit, Review of the Regulatory Environment in Ireland, or recent European Union legislation on energy and telecommunications regulation. Indeed, these sources are strongly in favour of regulatory independence. Two, not necessarily mutually exclusive explanations, for reducing regulatory independence are discussed: to remove an anomaly in the Irish political system; and, to assist in the delivery of social partnership. The paper concludes by arguing that some thought might be given to public consultation of the reforms in the Government Statement prior to further implementation.

International variation in caesarean section rates and maternal obesity.

Abstract: This study examined variations in caesarean section (CS) rates associated with a woman's birthplace and differences in maternal adiposity Women were enrolled in the 1st trimester Maternal adiposity was assessed by body mass index (BMI) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) Irish women were compared with women born in the 14 countries who joined the European Union (EU) before 2004 (EU 14), and with those born in 12 countries who joined following enlargement (EU 12) Of the 2,811 women enrolled, 2,235 women were born in Ireland, 100 in EU 14 countries and 476 in EU 12 countries Based on a BMI > 299 kg/m2, maternal obesity was higher in Irish (198%; n = 443) and EU 14 women (190%; n = 19) compared with EU 12 women (95%; n = 45), p < 0001 BIA of maternal body composition confirmed increased adiposity in both the Irish and EU 14 women Variations in emergency CS rates in primigravidas based on the woman's birthplace were associated with maternal adiposity and induction of labour, both modifiable

Educational expansion and overeducation of young graduates: A comparative analysis of 30 European countries

Abstract: This study uses quarterly EU Labour Force Survey data for 30 countries over the period 2000 to 2016 to examine the relationship between changes in the composition of educational attainment ...

The Irish Economy Today: Albatross or Phoenix?

Abstract: Within EMU, the state of the balance of payments is a crucial signal of possible dangers in an economy. In the case of Ireland, this signal was ignored, and a failure of banking regulation together with wholly inappropriate fiscal policy allowed the current crisis to happen. In the aftermath of the recession, domestic costs have been cut, producing a substantial increase in tradable sector output. This output response will play a crucial role in eventually returning the economy to growth. Tackling the huge government deficit will be necessarily painful and, until completed, will weigh heavily on domestic demand, delaying a full recovery. It will be important that the fiscal adjustment is undertaken in an ‘employment-friendly’ manner.

Optimal Global Dynamic Carbon Taxation

Abstract: I investigate the design of an optimal global carbon tax on greenhouse gas emissions. Chichilnisky and Heal (1994) and Sandmo (2006) have shown that optimal marginal abatement costs should differ between different countries if no lump-sum transfers between those countries are possible. I extend their static result to a dynamic stock externality, so that it can be applied to climate change. I then use the integrated assessment model FUND to compute optimal carbon emission tax schedules for sixteen world regions for the next century. I find that if lump-sum transfers are not possible, rich countries should mitigate more and poor countries less. Ruling out lump-sum transfers has an ambiguous effect on optimal global emission reductions: under standard assumptions about inequality aversion, optimal emission reductions are lower if lump-sum transfers between countries are ruled out. In a sensitivity analysis, I assume a more inequality-averse decision maker. In this scenario, optimal emission reductions are larger when lump-sum transfers are ruled out.