Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

IBEC's recent report was very clear about the huge success of the economies North and South since the Good Friday Agreement and the substantial benefit peace has brought to this island and the great growth. The report compared 18 different areas in Ireland, North and South and in the UK. It made a surprising point that the greatest benefit outside London has been to people living on this island North and South. The Minister rightly points out that there has been substantial economic benefit. We need to impress more in the public domain on the benefit to the northern economy in the arguments that are being made because I do not think I hear the unionists iterating or responding to that point. They have a great opportunity. The British and European markets are wide open to them. There are substantial benefits in moving forward. I accept and acknowledge what the Minister says. We must go the extra mile for unionism if we can because the great prize is an Executive up and running, peace continuing and the vacuum no longer being there.

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