Investment: Percentage of GNP Total  Building and Construction  Machinery and Equipment  1994  18.4  10.5  7.9  1995  19.3  11.0  8.3  1996  21.0  12.5  8.5  1997  22.9  14.1  8.8  1998  25.0  15.3  9.7  1999  27.4  17.0  10.4  2000 (f)  28.5  18.0  10.5  Source: National Income and Expenditure Central Statistics Office, and Central Bank forecasts.
These developments that I have outlined in relation to property prices, bank credit and investment inevitably raise concerns about the soundness of the financial sector. The Bank, as the supervisory authority, has impressed on credit institutions the need to continue to maintain prudent standards in lending.