Debate contribution: All-island Economy
Debate contribution by Miss Jemma Dolan on .
- MLA
- Miss Jemma Dolan
- 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 5453690
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle.
The artificial barriers created by partition more than a century ago continue to have a detrimental impact on many aspects of life across our island, including many of the areas referenced in our amendment. Time and again, we see how those divisions make little sense when it comes to the delivery of public services, the development of infrastructure and the growth of our economy. In my Adjournment debate last month, I spoke about the need for the South West Acute Hospital to be utilised by citizens living beyond the Fermanagh and Omagh area. If that hospital is to reach its full potential, it absolutely makes sense that people from neighbouring counties should be able to access the services and benefit from them. That is just one example of why we must think beyond the artificial barriers that partition has imposed on this island. Rightly, the amendment:
"acknowledges that barriers to cross-border economic cooperation have had negative impacts across the island of Ireland".
Removing those barriers and enhancing cooperation between Ministers and Departments North and South can deliver real benefits for communities and businesses. We have already seen positive examples of what that cooperation can achieve. The extension of the Hidden Heartlands tourism brand into Fermanagh links the county with its natural hinterland and strengthens its place within a wider all-island tourism offering. I welcome the work undertaken by the Economy Minister in securing that agreement with Fáilte Ireland and in supporting the marketing of the region. Initiatives such as that build on the strong cooperation that already exists across the all-island tourism sector and provide a welcome boost for local economies, particularly the hospitality sector. Another important example of cooperation is the water enhancements through sustainable treatment (WEST) project, which is tackling water pollution across Lough Erne, Lough Melvin and Donegal Bay through cooperation between NI Water and Uisce Éireann. Such projects demonstrate clearly that, when Governments work together on an all-island basis, communities benefit. The amendment highlights other key areas in which enhanced cooperation is needed, including rail, energy networks, digital connectivity, skills development and labour market alignment. Those are strategic issues that require joined-up planning if we are to unlock the full economic potential of this island. The establishment of an all-island economic task force, as called for in the amendment, would provide an important mechanism to drive that cooperation and ensure that agreed priorities are delivered. Greater North/South cooperation can and will benefit citizens across the island. The reality, however, is that partition continues to act as a barrier to that potential being fully realised. Enhanced cooperation is welcome and necessary, but, as long as the island remains divided, it will go only so far. The real opportunity lies in building an all-island economy and planning our infrastructure, services and economic development on that basis, ensuring that decisions about our future are made by the people who live and work here.
491 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.07 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.86).
- No identity-based framing was identified (0.98).
- Subject area: Constitutional question, Brexit, the Windsor Framework and sovereignty.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.07 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.02 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.02 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.03 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.05 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.86 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.07 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 0.98 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.02 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Constitutional question, Brexit, the Windsor Framework and sovereignty | 0.80 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.17 |
| Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy | 0.02 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:06 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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