Ms Claire Hanna:

There is no doubt about that. As I have said, from the SDLP's perspective, we are very clear that it is important we undertake this process of establishing the facts, interrogating them and having a genuine debate about reports received like this one. In the same way as we should not be overoptimistic, however, we are allowed to identify analyses we feel are relatively pessimistic. We are in agreement that the North's economy dramatically underperforms and always has done. I am not sure what the witnesses' view is, but I am of the view that we have not enjoyed good governance in this region either in the century of its existence and that this is hindering our economic performance.

I am also of the view that we do not adequately look to the future. Apart from sometimes considering it in the context of vague constitutional terms, we do not really talk about the future and about economic strategies. Aside from education, however, which has rightly been identified as a flawed system, and I agree with much of what has been stated in this regard and many of the prescriptions, what other factors do the witnesses think slow down the North's economy? The point I am making is that the application of harmonious tax and skills policies and infrastructural investment across the island would surely, as has been acknowledged, raise the value of the North's economy. What do the witnesses see as the drags on the North's economy, aside from education?