Economists must be persistent in getting across key messages to policymakers, according to Professor Frances Ruane , speaking at a function on Tuesday night to mark her retirement as director of the Economic and Social Research Institute.

The temptation for economic researchers, having completed a report, was to move on to a new topic, she said, often frustrated by the lack of attention to their findings. However, they should not be afraid to keep highlighting key messages in crucial policy areas such as health and housing, she said, where economic analysis needed to be a central input to the overall policy approach.

Dr Alan Barrett, who succeeded Prof Ruane as ESRI director, praised her significant contribution to the Institute and particularly her ability to pilot it through a difficult period after her appointment in 2006 when recession hit, the ESRI budget was cut and like all forecasters it was questioned on its pre-crisis predictions. The ESRI had emerged strongly and with a new focus, he said.