No surprises in the latest OECD Economic Survey of Ireland 2011, which says that the country should persevere on the path of fiscal consolidation, exit from the banking crisis and restore the banking system to health. Even its cover features the now-obligatory shot of the Samuel Beckett Bridge, without which no economic assessment, report to camera or magazine opinion piece is truly complete. Upbeat economic reports feature said Bridge plus National Convention centre, the downbeat ones feature said Bridge plus partially completed Anglo building.

The tax measures suggested include broadening the tax base by reducing tax reliefs and proceeding with the planned property taxes. No surprises there either.

The Economic Survey of Ireland 2011 is available from the OECD's website at http://www.oecd.org/document/63/0,3746,en_2649_34569_48842623_1_1_1_1,00.html