‘Neverendum’ Brexit prospects and border probes threaten Good Friday pact’s prosperity

The governments of Belfast, Dublin and London are urged to work together to ensure that the economic and social benefits of the Good Friday Agreement are not undermined by the threat of Brexit and border elections.

Ah Ibec CEO Danny McCoy says the Accord architecture already has a broader framework for collaboration.

A business group in Ireland today launched a new campaign and report highlighting the economic and social impact of the Good Friday Agreement, which marks its 25th anniversary for peace and prosperity.

He said Ireland and the British Isles had created millions of jobs and hundreds of thousands of new businesses as stability returned after the Accord, with additional benefits such as investment in neglected communities and improved quality of life. said to have brought

In 2023, the All-Ireland economy will generate the second highest GDP in London inland compared to 11 regions in the UK, with a consumer market of 7 million and twice the UK population growth. The value of cross-border trade reached her 9.5 billion euros and her labor force reached her 3.6 million.

Sectors currently identified as All Ireland Brands include dairy, whiskey, tourism, arts, media and the experience economy. “This is not just about trade, it is about greater integration of business transactions and interactions that take advantage of economies of scale and proximity,” the report said.

Mr McCoy said Ibec had commissioned a survey aimed at obtaining more accurate information on the Northern Irish market.

In order to maintain progress on the Good Friday Agreement, Ivek made a number of recommendations for Ireland, including the resumption of the policy framework for North-South economic cooperation.

Mr McCoy said Ireland’s exceptional situation within the EU should be acknowledged.

But with the Good Friday Agreement in force, “there is no need to reinvent the wheel,” he said. If you are a member of the internal or external EU, the institutional structures for that kind of coordination are really there.”

The Republic of Ireland will also feel the impact of Brexit on imports, but “there will be less impact as the Republic is going through a rather unique period of prosperity caused by issues other than Brexit,” he said.

Mr McCoy said both the UK and Ireland have been successful in attracting foreign direct investment, thanks to the Good Friday deal and attractive corporate tax cuts.

However, after the Scottish independence vote in 2014 and the Brexit vote in 2016, the UK started losing to Ireland. The “leprechaun economy” isn’t legendary, but it was confirmed by an increase in corporate tax revenue and her 2-to-2 increase in the labor force. 1 million to 2.6 million.

“One of the lessons people can take is that an incomplete or unclear referendum, or what Canadians call ‘never’, is a good recipe for investing,” McCoy said.

“This is the lesson to be expected regarding border polls and merger referendums. The lesson of the last 25 years is the Good Friday deal in Belfast, which laid the foundation for great prosperity, but perhaps It will be an important hook for more turbulent times for judicial turmoil.

One of the goals of Ibec’s campaign is to ensure that events such as Brexit and unification talks do not disrupt the peace that underpins the deal. “We can have these talks, but we cannot do so at the expense of sabotaging the peace process,” he said. am.”

Ibec’s launch event will be attended by representatives from various sectors that benefit from peace and prosperity on the island.

Speakers included Lisa McGee, author and producer of the magazine Derry Girls, and Tanya Harrington and James Doherty of Dr. Sliabh Liag Distillers.

Mr McCoy said: This would not have happened on such a scale without the stability that underpins peace.

“This anniversary not only provides an opportunity to celebrate the progress of the BGFA, it is also a timely opportunity to reflect and acknowledge that we must not fall into complacency.

“Much progress has been made, but much still has to be done to make full progress from the peace dividend, which is even more important in the post-Brexit situation.

“A meaningful celebration of the BGFA’s 25th anniversary will require key political players to work with relevant business communities to develop the detailed, innovative and actionable plans necessary to sustain and sustain the interests of the island’s economy as a whole. It is important to create solutions and ensure that their further development is never impeded.”