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20 November 2015

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A united Ireland would boost economy by €35.6billion

Sinn Féin's Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation spokesperson Peadar Tóibín TD

IRISH REUNIFICATION would result in a major boost to the GDP of the island, representing €35.6billion over eight years, a major new international study has found.

According to the study led by University of British Columbia Professor Dr Kurt Hubner, the economic improvements would be particularly strong in the North where an improvement of 4.5 – 7% GDP output could be expected, while the South could expect a more modest boost of about 1%. This is equivalent to €5,562 increase in economic output per-person in Ireland.

The study found that harmonisation of tax systems would encourage more foreign direct investment in the North while reducing trade barriers across the island would also benefit growth.

There would be an increase in productivity improvements across the island and that just one Government structure and no more duplication of services would provide increased savings.

Sinn Féin Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation spokesperson Peadar Tóibín TD said the findings coincide with what Sinn Féin has been saying for years. 

The Meath West TD described it as “economically illiterate” to claim the division of such a small island is good for growth and says it is “astounding” that no Government has conducted economic research into the prospect of Irish reunification:

“Partition has been a barrier to trade, to labour, to capital, to investment,” he said. “Volatility in currency, tax, excise and regulation dampens enterprise and growth. Duplication of administration and the provision of infrastructure, health, education, welfare, housing, and agriculture cost each citizen dearly on the island. The border creates two false peripheries, reducing the size of the available market for SMEs.”

Economist Michael Burke, speaking in the Oireachtas earlier this year, responded to claims that a united Ireland is based on a 'romantic ideal' rather than serious arguments:

“I would argue the contrary that the continued division of the island, particularly economically, is based on romantic ideals and is not attuned to the economic needs of the population of the whole island,” he said.

Dr Hubner told The Irish Times:

“While these effects occur in a static global economic environment, under ideal political conditions, they underline the potential of political and economic unification when it is supported by smart economic policy.”

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