The Ecuador Threecuter heather ode

The OECD, in its rigorous analysis of what went wrong with the Irish economy, draws a distinction between two periods of strong growth in the boom period from 1995 to 2007. In the first, 1995 to 2000, the rapid rate of economic expansion reflected strong export growth, rising productivity and improved competitiveness. In the second, from 2002 to 2007, economic growth was driven largely by strong domestic demand, particularly house-building, fuelled by cheap credit, low interest rates and reckless lending by banks.

Q: What’s the most curious record in your collection?

A: In the seventies a record company in LA issued a record called “The best of Marcel Marceau.” It had forty minutes of silence followed by applause and it sold really well. I like to put it on for company. It really bothers me, though, when people talk through it.