7 October 2004 Edition
Economic weakness requires All-Ireland framework
Michelle Gildernew
Sinn Féin Fermanagh/South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew, speaking at the 9th annual economic conference organised by the CBI on Wednesday, said that there are huge structural economic problems in the North that demand a new approach based on an all-Ireland model.
These centre around poor productivity; the loss of the manufacturing base; over-dependence on the public sector and service industries; a lack of focus on R&D, training and skills and poor infrastructure, she said.
"These problems are exacerbated by the British Treasury's unwillingness to give special consideration to the north, by the lack of political stability, and by higher operating costs, including the cost of energy. The privatisation agenda currently being pursued by the British Government means that all of us, individuals and businesses alike, are facing even higher costs in the near future.
"Sinn Féin believes that the future of the economy in the north of Ireland must be set in the context of an islandwide strategy for development and regeneration. A small island with a population of just over 5 million people cannot successfully develop economic strategies on the basis of division within the island.
"The development of an all-Ireland economy and spatial integration is well advanced. The Good Friday Agreement changed the framework for governance on the island of Ireland. The All-Ireland Ministerial Council, with delineated areas for all-Ireland development and co-operation, is well underway. This work needs to be built on and extended into other areas. On the basis of economies of scale and sharing best practice, this makes sense.
"Business is, in many ways, ahead of political developments as it has long been recognised that it is only by adopting a unified approach to the development of an all Ireland economic strategy will the whole country achieve its full potential.
"In the short to medium term, Sinn Féin believes that current problems must be addressed by an economic development package that should include:
• Public expenditure commitments by the British Government
• Job creation strategies to create higher value jobs
• Support for indigenous industry
• Investment in R&D, training and skills
"An immediate area of concern, both to business and to political parties, is the infrastructure deficit. Investors will go where the infrastructure is and will avoid the areas where it is absent. The practical out-working of this is that while manufacturing loss in the north is 6%, in Derry it is 34%. Estimates vary but the figure needed is calculated to be just under £7 billion.
"Years of neglect and under-funding by successive British administrations need to be remedied immediately. An immediate cash injection is needed that will begin to remedy the infrastructure deficit. The strategy should specifically target west of the Bann. We need a fast, efficient and safe transport network that feeds into an all Ireland network. We need necessary upgrades to the water and sewage system. We need the rollout of gas and greater urgency given to an all Ireland energy strategy."