Menu
03/04/2009
Face All-Ireland Recession Together: DUP
One of Stormont's top DUP politicians has insisted that beating the current recession is an all-Ireland problem.
The Northern Ireland Executive Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson said the North's administration takes no comfort from forecasts that the recession will be more severe in the Republic than across the border.
He also said some of the key objectives in growing Northern Ireland's economy were dependent on factors such as advances in Dublin's financial services sector.
Mr Donaldson was speaking in Dublin at an event organised by the Irish Association and the Institute for British-Irish Studies.
"The fact that the economy in the South has perhaps taken a bigger hit than our economy in Northern Ireland is no comfort to us," he said.
Mr Donaldson said he wanted to make it clear that the Northern Ireland administration was up for economic co-operation that would benefit both parts of the island.
"We want to see it work we're actively looking for ways in which we can increase that collaboration for mutual benefit," he said.
"We're in this together, along with our neighbours in Great Britain, and given the inter-workings of our economies there is great value in that co-operation and in that collaboration," he said.
Mr Donaldson said appropriate areas for considering co-operation arose where the border created impediments to faster economic growth.
He also insisted that, while Northern Ireland and the Republic would continue to pursue their own policies, there were steps that could be taken together.
Mr Donaldson said one impact of the weak pound had been a change in cross-Border shopping trends.
"In the past, purchases tended to move in a North-South direction, with many people in Northern Ireland making the trip across the Border to purchase their fuel. Now it is moving in the other direction," he said.
The Republic's Minister of State for Finance, Martin Mansergh said the existence of two jurisdictions on the island posed some challenges to tackling the economic crisis.
"Shoppers going North were causing a significant loss of revenue to the Republic's exchequer," he admitted.
However, Dr Mansergh said it was important not to be distracted by a phenomenon he described as temporary.
"We must not forget either that the cross-Border shopping flows went the other direction in the past, even the recent past. These things are fluid and changing," he commented.
See: Cross-Border Shopping Bonanza Accelerates
(BMcC/JM)
The Northern Ireland Executive Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson said the North's administration takes no comfort from forecasts that the recession will be more severe in the Republic than across the border.
He also said some of the key objectives in growing Northern Ireland's economy were dependent on factors such as advances in Dublin's financial services sector.
Mr Donaldson was speaking in Dublin at an event organised by the Irish Association and the Institute for British-Irish Studies.
"The fact that the economy in the South has perhaps taken a bigger hit than our economy in Northern Ireland is no comfort to us," he said.
Mr Donaldson said he wanted to make it clear that the Northern Ireland administration was up for economic co-operation that would benefit both parts of the island.
"We want to see it work we're actively looking for ways in which we can increase that collaboration for mutual benefit," he said.
"We're in this together, along with our neighbours in Great Britain, and given the inter-workings of our economies there is great value in that co-operation and in that collaboration," he said.
Mr Donaldson said appropriate areas for considering co-operation arose where the border created impediments to faster economic growth.
He also insisted that, while Northern Ireland and the Republic would continue to pursue their own policies, there were steps that could be taken together.
Mr Donaldson said one impact of the weak pound had been a change in cross-Border shopping trends.
"In the past, purchases tended to move in a North-South direction, with many people in Northern Ireland making the trip across the Border to purchase their fuel. Now it is moving in the other direction," he said.
The Republic's Minister of State for Finance, Martin Mansergh said the existence of two jurisdictions on the island posed some challenges to tackling the economic crisis.
"Shoppers going North were causing a significant loss of revenue to the Republic's exchequer," he admitted.
However, Dr Mansergh said it was important not to be distracted by a phenomenon he described as temporary.
"We must not forget either that the cross-Border shopping flows went the other direction in the past, even the recent past. These things are fluid and changing," he commented.
See: Cross-Border Shopping Bonanza Accelerates
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 June 2006
NI economy continues to perform well
A report published today has shown that the Northern Ireland economy continues to perform well. The Northern Ireland labour market is currently benefiting from historically high levels of employment and continuing low unemployment, and the latest figures show that annual economic growth is above the UK average.
NI economy continues to perform well
A report published today has shown that the Northern Ireland economy continues to perform well. The Northern Ireland labour market is currently benefiting from historically high levels of employment and continuing low unemployment, and the latest figures show that annual economic growth is above the UK average.
29 May 2012
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
04 May 2022
'Significant' Increase In Waste Sent To Landfill In NI
The amount of waste being send to landfill year-on-year in Northern Ireland has seen a 'significant' increase, according to latest local authority collected (LAC) municipal waste management statistics published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
'Significant' Increase In Waste Sent To Landfill In NI
The amount of waste being send to landfill year-on-year in Northern Ireland has seen a 'significant' increase, according to latest local authority collected (LAC) municipal waste management statistics published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
28 September 2011
New Builds 'Key To NI Recovery'
It has been reported that house building is key to Northern Ireland's economic recovery. According to John Armstrong, Managing Director of the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) the new build housing sector is one of the key industries that can help turn round Northern Ireland's economic fortunes and create growth and employment.
New Builds 'Key To NI Recovery'
It has been reported that house building is key to Northern Ireland's economic recovery. According to John Armstrong, Managing Director of the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) the new build housing sector is one of the key industries that can help turn round Northern Ireland's economic fortunes and create growth and employment.
11 April 2007
Community Interest Companies for NI
A new type of company, a Community Interest Company, has been introduced in Northern Ireland, following the implementation of new legislation here.
Community Interest Companies for NI
A new type of company, a Community Interest Company, has been introduced in Northern Ireland, following the implementation of new legislation here.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
