Mark FitzGerald has an interesting perspective on the world of economics and that particular sub-species, the economist.

The Sherry FitzGerald chief executive, son of the former Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, and brother of the ESRI's John FitzGerald, recalled last week his recollections of coming from a family of economists.

"Hence at Sunday dinner for many decades past I have had to listen to economics . . . economics . . . and more economics . . . without ever being allowed to say much," he told the Leinster Society of Chartered Accountants.

And his reflection on this upbringing: "Economics can be a dismal science. Indeed, recently I heard one BBC journalist . . . suggest that economists had predicted 11 of the last three world recessions."