Northern Ireland

Partition has had 'crippling effect on north’s economy' - Ireland's Future

Ireland's Future today publishes a document, 'Planning for a Strong Economy in a New Ireland'
Ireland's Future today publishes a document, 'Planning for a Strong Economy in a New Ireland' Ireland's Future today publishes a document, 'Planning for a Strong Economy in a New Ireland'

PARTITION has had a "crippling effect on the north’s economy" and without change it is feared "prospects for growth will remain poor", according to Ireland's Future.

The group will today publish the document 'Planning for a Strong Economy in a New Ireland' and set out a vision of economic benefits of Irish unification.

It is part of a series it hopes will enhance discussions around a united Ireland and "encourage continuing dialogue".

The document claims that "current governance and funding constraints almost ensure that the north will continue to fall behind the south, and other economies into the future".

"We believe that there is huge untapped potential for the north’s economy to grow and that its productivity potential can only be achieved within a united Ireland framework."

Gerry Carlile, Ireland’s Future chief executive, said there is "a chance to work together on this island to prepare the way for transformative change".

"Ireland’s Future urges political parties across Ireland and particularly the government in Dublin to plan and prepare for constitutional change on our island," he said.

"Change can be managed and organised or it can be chaotic.

"We believe the people of our island will be best served when the government is immersed in the process of planning, preparation and nation building.

"In the absence of government preparation and planning, our civic-led initiative is beginning that work.

"People who live on this island need to know what a new and united Ireland would look like across the economy, education, health and a range of other areas.

"Ireland’s Future is working to enable these conversations to advance and to make the job of government preparation an easier one."

He said the discussion document "looks at various issues and perennial problems with regard to the economy in the north and outlines how, in a united Ireland, all of the people, north and south, could benefit".

"The document outlines how an environment could be created where the economy would thrive, productivity levels could increase, educational attainment levels would improve, more jobs would be created and poverty levels would decrease."

An online discussion will be held tonight at 7pm with key figures in Ireland’s Future - Senator Frances Black, school principal Chris Donnelly, historian Brian Feeney and former victims' commissioner Patricia MacBride.

See www.irelandsfuture.com for further details.