Debate contribution: All-island Economy

Debate contribution by Mr Declan Kearney on 9 March 2026.

MLA: Mr Declan Kearney
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 9 March 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Opposition Business
Heading: All-island Economy
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5453676

Text

The emergence of the all-Ireland economy is probably one of the most significant and positive results of our peace process. All-island integration benefits everyone. It drives economic prosperity, creates business and investment opportunities and improves the lives of families and people in every part of the island. Every Department in the power-sharing Executive should prioritise the potential to deepen political, economic and social integration. While important progress has been secured across health, infrastructure and economic development, significant barriers remain. Of course, the key structural barrier to further progress is the existence of partition. Nonetheless, the Department for the Economy has advanced innovation and collaboration across the island, and there are many notable examples. The successful expansion of Ulster University's Magee campus has provided additional academic opportunities for students, North and South. It is now helping to drive the achievement of regional balance for the north-west. So, too, as my colleague has already mentioned, is the north-west learning city region project, which has implemented a major cross-border collaboration in lifelong learning. The recently announced partnership between Queen's University and Dundalk Institute of Technology is another good example of increased integration between educational institutions. I welcome last Friday's announcement by the Minister for the Economy to increase postgraduate loan support by 54% for the 2026-27 academic year. In the North, one of the biggest impediments to economic growth is our skills shortage. Minister Archibald's apprenticeship action plan will enable workers, particularly our young people, to access the best possible training in their chosen field in any setting across Ireland.
Cross-border apprenticeship opportunities have now become a reality.
All-Ireland tourism has also been prioritised by the Department for the Economy. Collaboration between Tourism Ireland, Tourism NI and other industry leaders is now focused on growing visitor spending in the North to £1·3 billion over the next 10 years. That is an exciting target. Crucially, the Department for Infrastructure's all-island strategic rail review sets out a long-term vision for a modern, high-quality, low-carbon rail network with several important proposals, not least the reinstatement of the Knockmore line, with potential airport access in my South Antrim constituency. The work of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has successfully deepened integration in areas such as agriculture, food safety, tourism, transport, infrastructure, culture and trade. Through the NSMC and the Shared Island Fund, the Irish Government are committed to significant major investment in cross-border infrastructure, healthcare integration, environmental initiatives and educational measures. InterTradeIreland has played an instrumental role in expanding all-island economic coordination, particularly in the post-Brexit era. Cross-border trade is now at record levels, reaching over €15 billion in 2025. InterTradeIreland has supported more than 60,000 businesses, including thousands of SMEs. Those are concrete and positive indicators. Planned all-island integration and cooperation is bringing opportunities to businesses, workers and families across our country. There are reasons for us all to be optimistic about the future. Of course, resolution of the constitutional issue and Irish unity are central to making even greater progress. In the Good Friday Agreement, a democratic mechanism exists to open a pathway to maximised economic growth, better public services, shared prosperity and a better quality of life for workers and families in all of Ireland. That is another strategic reason for the Irish and British Governments and all political parties North and South to start planning and preparing for Irish unity. The overall process of that transition will be optimised by setting a date for a unity referendum by 2030.

576 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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