John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is clear that we have a significant deal in the Windsor Framework. I say this cautiously, but I think there is cause for much optimism as a result of that. We want to be able to capitalise on that optimism. We want to try to build on the momentum we have seen from Northern Ireland, the Government here and the British Government. What I mean by capitalising on that momentum is being able to now sell the opportunities and benefits the Windsor Framework provides for Northern Ireland and, in particular, the Northern Irish economy.

It is also important to note the appointment of the US special envoy, former Congressman Joe Kennedy. He is a fairly big player in the United States. He has come into this with a serious job to do and with an emphasis on economic productivity and the economy of Northern Ireland. I think former Congressman Kennedy will be able to play an important role. I hope the institutions are re-established on the back of the Windsor Framework as well.

Regarding the economy, the reason the Windsor Framework provides such an opportunity is that it guarantees Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom. It ensures that is reaffirmed and that trade from Northern Ireland into the rest of the UK is seamless, but it also ensures that trade from Northern Ireland into the EU is seamless as well. When one thinks about it, that gives Northern Ireland a unique economic advantage and puts it in a unique economic position when trying to market it to multinational investments and foreign multinational companies and as a place for job creation and a good place to do business. That will have an important spin-off effect.

This will provide a benefit for the Border economy and Border towns. There will be an enormous economic spillover along the Border areas that will benefit the economies on both sides of the Border as a result of Northern Ireland’s unique economic position on the back of the Windsor Framework. That is why there is a chance to optimistic about it. I think there will be huge opportunities from a trading perspective. We already see that cross-Border trade is worth about €10 billion a year. That can continue to grow. We see so many businesses already co-operating with each other on both sides of the Border and promoting the area as a singular economic unit. This will be useful. The area between Dublin and Belfast is the economic engine of the island of Ireland. It is where the vast majority of the population of this island lives. These are the two biggest cities on the island of Ireland. As I said, that corridor can be an economic driving point for the island of Ireland and it is aided by the Windsor Framework.

With regard to the DUP, while it feels like we have been around the merry-go-round a couple of times with this, we have to give it the space and time it needs to look at this framework as best as it possibly can to make sure it can get on board. We have to give that party the time and space to do that.

This is something to be positive about. It is nice to have good news every once in a while. This is something to be optimistic about for Northern Ireland. As I said, the Windsor Framework provides an economic opportunity for businesses in Northern Ireland and job creation. I think that economic opportunity will spill over both sides of the Border and, in particular, substantial Border towns.