Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The economies of Ireland and Northern Ireland are closely connected. An open border has allowed industries of all types to develop in both jurisdictions without constraints. I have had the privilege on a number of occasions during the past year of meeting with some of the enterprises that operate smoothly and successfully on an all-Ireland basis. We know how important the ease of this cross-Border trade is to enterprises based here in Ireland and the Deputy is well aware of Ireland's negotiating position in this regard.

The benefits of free and open trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland are readily apparent to my Department and we have been working, for example through the many InterTradeIreland initiatives, to promote even greater cross-fertilisation of ideas, expertise and sector-specific skills between enterprises and third-level institutes across the island of Ireland. I have no plans to commission research on a united Ireland economy as a speculative approach to such a scenario would not serve the immediate concerns of enterprise policy.

I can point to the informative research my Department has undertaken to inform how we best support enterprises that face particular challenges from Brexit. For example, my Department supported the analysis undertaken by InterTradeIreland for its report on cross-Border trade and supply chain linkages which was published earlier this year. The analysis highlighted the significance of cross-border trade, for example finding that Northern Ireland accounts for between 10% and 12% of total exports from Ireland to the UK as a whole and accounted for 7% to 8% of imports. The report also found that a significant share of cross-Border trade is accounted for by firms that trade simultaneously in both directions. These two-way traders comprise approximately 18% of firms but accounted for more than 60% of exports and more than 70% of imports. Trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland sees 177,000 lorries and 250,000 vans cross the Border every month, ferrying goods from one side to the other. It is very much a case of success for one of us being success for the other.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

InterTradeIreland is one of the six North-South implementation bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement. Its mission is to support businesses through innovation and trade initiatives to take advantage of North-South co-operative opportunities, driving competitiveness, jobs and growth. It has a key role to play in protecting North-South trade in the context of Brexit, as the body is uniquely well-positioned when it comes to understanding the needs of businesses on both sides of the Border. My Department provided additional funding last year and again this year to allow InterTradeIreland undertake a range of initiatives aimed at assisting Irish SMEs to prepare for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. This work includes the provision of factual advice, information materials and supports for capability building and the provision of other specialist expertise for companies.

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