There was good news and bad news on the economic front this week.

On the one hand, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicts that the Republic will be the top creator of jobs among its 29 members in the next couple of years.

On the other hand, the Small Firms' Association annual conference heard warnings from a range of business leaders and politicians that housing and labour shortages could pose a serious threat to the continued buoyancy of the economy.

Maybe, for once, as a state we will now plan ahead and ensure that the problems which are looming on the housing and labour fronts are tackled before they cripple our success. It will take more than the recent announcement of some extra college places.