This is the eighth medium-term review overseen by ESRI research professor John FitzGerald.

One of the most respected economists in the State, he stands in sharp contrast to the smooth-talking, sharp-suited stockbroking economists, many of whom also passed through the Department of Finance.

He remains passionate and enthusiastic about economics - a man who can be relied on to know how many square miles of motorway are under construction, for instance, and be on top of the intricacies of Government finances.

The son of former Taoiseach Mr Garret FitzGerald, he is married to Eithne, a former Labour party minister of state, who lost her seat at the last general election.

His brother Mark, managing director of estate agents Sherry FitzGerald, lamented last year that, "at Sunday dinner for many decades, I had to listen to economics . . . economics . . . and more economics . . . without ever being allowed to say much".

Their sister, Mary, is a painter and former academic.

John met his wife at UCD where he studied economics and history - but the masters he later completed was in history.

The couple would sit for hours with his father, discussing economics.

On graduation, Mr FitzGerald found there was no market for historians. Almost reluctantly took a job with the Department of Finance. Almost despite himself, he found work in the Department very interesting and stayed there for 12 years.