麻豆社

How did Ireland go from having too many new homes at the height of its economic boom just a decade ago, to now not having enough? We report from Dublin about the country's housing shortage and speak to Ronan Lyons, assistant professor of economics at Dublin's Trinity University about what has gone wrong. Also, Irish economist and author David McWilliams explains why the usual rules of supply and demand do not seem to work as expected in the property sector.

And, when it comes to kick starting the construction industry, there is nothing quite like hosting an Olympic Games. But our regular contributor James Srodes in Washington DC says that with the rising cost of hosting sporting events, ever fewer cities are willing to take the plunge.

(Photo: Castlemoyne housing estate, Dublin. Credit: Getty Images)