It must be around twenty years ago now that I used to turn right when I crossed the Foyle Bridge in Derry. The Ulster University had an in-service Master’s course for teachers, and on a weekly basis I’d have to drive to Derry as part of the teaching team. To get to the Magee campus you turn left when you cross the Foyle bridge. I turned right because, before the class began, I wanted to cross the border a few miles down the road and fill my tank with cheap petrol. Which I did.
I’m not sure why petrol was cheaper on the other side of the border back then. Eight years ago there used to be traffic jams in Newry as shoppers from the south headed across the border to the north to do their shopping. I’m not sure why that was either, but that it made economic sense to shop in the north was testified to by the relentless line of cars heading north.
And these days, it’s the other way round again. Shoppers from the Newry side are invading Dundalk on a weekly or even daily basis to get their Christmas shopping done. Apparently it has to do with the strength of the pound and the relative weakness of the euro. You’d think that a strong pound would be evidence of a thriving economy, off which we all could feed. But not so. Dundalk used to run a publicity campaign, trying to persuade northerners to come south and buy. This year they’re not having it – there’s no need, they figure.
The media reports don’t say much about cross-border smuggling, but you may be sure it’s going on. Ever since the border was created, there have been people who’ve spotted the economic advantage of a bit of smuggling and have responded.
Meanwhile shops and companies try not to get seasick. One year they’re struggling to cope with the numbers buying, the next they’re desperately cutting prices in the hope that people won’t ignore their shop as they join the stampede for the border. And there’s no denying that the different prices on either side of the border have encouraged law-breaking for nearly a hundred years now.
What to do? Well, we all know the obvious answer. If you had one currency and no border, you’d end the see-saw and provide economic equilibrium. Alas, that’s not likely to happen in the near future. So meantime there’s a compelling case for cross-border bodies (remember them?) to ensure a closer match between prices on either side. In fact, what we need is a free-trade-on-steroids arrangement from Derry to Kerry, so that traders and companies know the stability that allows short and long-term provision and planning. If this was happening in South America or Africa, we’d all be laughing our legs off at the stupidity of it, and the stupidity of the people involved in refusing to grasp the obvious answer. Unfortunately, the not-an-inchers still rule, and the price-difference is providing a pre-Christmas splurge for places like Dundalk and damaging Newry trade to the point, in some instances, of no return.
Cross-border economic unity? No thanks – we prefer the seasickness of cross-border contrast.
What to do? Well, we all know the obvious answer. If you had one currency and no border, you’d end the see-saw and provide economic equilibrium. Alas, that’s not likely to happen in the near future. So meantime there’s a compelling case for cross-border bodies (remember them?) to ensure a closer match between prices on either side. In fact, what we need is a free-trade-on-steroids arrangement from Derry to Kerry, so that traders and companies know the stability that allows short and long-term provision and planning. If this was happening in South America or Africa, we’d all be laughing our legs off at the stupidity of it, and the stupidity of the people involved in refusing to grasp the obvious answer. Unfortunately, the not-an-inchers still rule, and the price-difference is providing a pre-Christmas splurge for places like Dundalk and damaging Newry trade to the point, in some instances, of no return.
Cross-border economic unity? No thanks – we prefer the seasickness of cross-border contrast.
I am sure the retailers are cheered by your concern for them I agree absolutely I think the ROI should join with Northern Ireland and use the pound then we wouldn’t have any worries would we?
“I am sure the retailers are cheered by your concern for them I agree absolutely I think the ROI should join with Northern Ireland and use the pound then we wouldn’t have any worries would we?”
Neill, April fools day is over four months away….
Bit like having a United Ireland.
I’m sure that even if the ROI was the richist country in the world that most unionists would not change their mind regarding a United Ireland. This is because they would loose political power under this arrangement.
“I’m sure that even if the ROI was the richist country in the world that most unionists would not change their mind regarding a United Ireland. This is because they would loose political power under this arrangement.”
That is however a misconception Colman. A joint unionist / fine gael coalition could potentially hold a 40% plus majority over the island for some time and with devolved institutions this could result in the unionists dominating the north with sinn fein in opposition which is something ironically that they will never achieve within the UK.
Not so sure about that. There is impending constitutional change in the wind, north of Berwick-on-Tweed, and it’ll be a game changer for sure for both these Islands.
“Not so sure about that. There is impending constitutional change in the wind, north of Berwick-on-Tweed, and it’ll be a game changer for sure for both these Islands.”
What is happening there Gearoid?
No its not Neill
Yes it is
“Bit like having a United Ireland.”
When 50% + 1 in the north want unification, there wont be a thing you can do about it Neill.
Just like there is nothing I can do to make 50% + 1 want it.
It is not how I would like to see reunification either but it has been taken out of our hands rather wouldn’t you say?
If Jessica if.
Another.great.story.jude.keep.then.coming.
you. are. too. kind.Jim.
Cross border unity makes sound economic sense and could perhaps lead to a wider re-evaluation of the waste and inefficiency which characterizes the duplication of industrial/health/education bodies across our Island nation. This in turn could be a precursor to the political unity of the country that we so desire.
Which you desire I have no intention of being part of a united Ireland at any price.
“Which you desire I have no intention of being part of a united Ireland at any price.”
So what will you do neill?
Both states have agreed to implement the majority’s wishes either way and the demographics suggest unification will be inevitable.
I would leave as I have no interest whatsoever in a United Ireland. Out of sheer badness I would try to wreck as much of the place though to make it even more expensive for you to repair Jessica. : )
“I would leave as I have no interest whatsoever in a United Ireland. Out of sheer badness I would try to wreck as much of the place though to make it even more expensive for you to repair Jessica. : )”
Loyalists already drew up that plan many decades ago, the scorched earth policy.
In reality, the process will be so slow that will not be a problem. Bear in mind, 2 years to discuss a referendum properly, a 6 year plan to implement, would mean if we started now and we haven’t, the soonest reunification could happen would be in 8 years time, say 2024. So you can be sure it wont be happening before then.
You wont have to wreck anything just yet neill. Keep it cool 🙂
What ever happened to the moral superiority of unionists or did you forget that you wrote that?
“What ever happened to the moral superiority of unionists or did you forget that you wrote that?”
It is a realistic opinion shared by many, and we have already seen it played out on both sides when unpalatable decisions have been forced upon us.
Until it is properly discussed and understood, I can see how some would by default see it as unpalatable.
Given the revelations in a recent RTÉ documentary, about the good, the bad and the greedy, we are left in no doubt about what some men are prepared to do for a fist full of euro or sterling. We continue to live with the legacy of partition in Ireland, the Middle East and India.
Gun boat diplomacy secured many grubby deals,
Landlords and gentry/with all their plenty/must still go empty/wherever they are bound…
Fortunately, there were others who chose not to spend their time making money and toiled to make the world a better place, that is their legacy.
One of the effects, Esteemed Blogmeister, of the Euro not being currently recognized as, erm, pound for pound, the best currency in these islands is the reversal of the Robbins Trail.
That would be the Trail named after/for the marvelously cathartic Marty Robbins. It is the trail which hikes across the Black Sow’s Dyke and links Newry with El Paso. So, no, this is not the West Texas town of El Paso but yes, it is the Best Taxes town of Dundalk. Or, at least, when all the dalking is dun, its doppelganger.
The name of the trail is derived from one of the verses of Marty’s most famous hit:
Out through the back door of Rosa’s I ran
Out where the horses are tied;
I caught a good one, it looked like it could run
Up on its back and away I did ride.
Nowadays, as you say, all the fourwheel and fourlegged traffic is in a southward direction.
Not too sure though, EB, about the media not ‘saying much about cross-border smuggling’. Anyone masochistic enough (after all, tis the season to be jolly well flagellatory) to subject him/herself to the long and winding road of the ‘Seamus Mallon portrait of a politician as an young Martist’ (to continue with the Robbinsian paradigm) in last Saturday’s edition of The Unionist Times, knows that.
The eternal silver-haired daddy of all silver medalists had a deal to growl about with regard to the ‘diesel smugglers’.
Coming from someone who has devoted a lengthy political lifetime to steering an eighteen-wheeler load of ‘smuggled cross-border weasel-words’, anything this Martist manqué chooses to sketch on his easel regarding this topic is worth lending an ear or two to .
Smuggling, as it were, for slow earners.
Come, therefore, all ye faithful Noreverland shopaholics, across the border to The Free Southern Stateen. Where respect is shown to smugglers, of all types, shapes, sizes and descriptions. And where the most disrespected word in the dictionary down south is the d-word itself: disrespect.
Remember the recent hooh-hah about the ‘disrespect’ shown to boxing coach Billy Walsh (a non-event which fell into the lap of the monopoly sports-mad media desperate to divert attention from the shellacking our egg-chasers had sustained at the Rugga World Cup) well now, now that BW has left the National Stadium the disrespect has, curiously, erm, thrived in, of all places, the same media.
By continuing to ignore the medal-laden amateur boxers of Ireland and by diverting all the roped and ringed attention to a smuggler, that would be the budgie smuggler of Conor McGregor – the current undisputed Featherweight Champion of the World of MMA. The cagey kicker who put the Roy back into Rob Roy – by stealing the hearts and minds (?) of the headline writers.
MMA, which is an acronym for MOTOR MOUTH ASSOCIATION, an outfit nobody had ever heard of, up to thirteen seconds, oops, thirteen months ago.
One mentions this episode merely, as an example of temporary aberration.
Disrespect is still disrespected down here, big time. And before the week is out, respect with a capital R will be shown to what promises to be THE shelf clearer of the season. So, hurry ye on down, Norneverlanders, and let not ye be disappointed.
SPOILER ARERT, not: what has not quite yet reached the shelves of the FSS shops, but will in a matter of days, is (gasp) the latest version of A Christmas Carol.
Forget about A Muppet Chiristmas Carol, A Flintstones Christmas Carol, A Bugs Bunny Christmas Carol (starring Yosemite Sam as Scrooge), An All-dog Christmas Carol, and A Black Adder Christmas Carol.
Perkie’s inner cineaste has been truly privileged to see a preview of what promises to be THE greatest version yet and possibly ever of the Dickensian classic. It is called (gulp) A Cahillphate Christmas Carol.
Just a teaser, as distinct from a spoiler alert, guess who gets to play Mrs F?
Here’s a hint:
-In came Mrs. Fezziwig, wearing one vast substantial YAWN.
If the British economy has been doing so well (David Cameron tells us the UK has the boomingest economy in Europe) why is the Footsie on the slide for the last number of months?
Also the EU is supposed to be struggling, but its value has been rising vis a vis Sterling.
Can an objective economist explain, please?
“Can an objective economist explain, please?”
Wouldn’t claim to be an economist bit I do run a few businesses and the dual economy frustrates me.
The strength of sterling is only going to benefit the financial sectors, mainly in London and has a negative impact to business here to the benefit of those shopping in the euro zone where business benefits. On the other hand, strong euro weak sterling is bad for Britain but good for business in the north as more shoppers come north for the lower prices. Bear in mind, a bottle of water produced in Ireland is cheaper in London than it is in Dublin.
A unified all island economy would permanently open better business trade across Ireland, where the businesses in the north would have the greater benefit.
The lower corporation tax will not happen in the north, it will not have the same benefit and will not be like for like anyway. The north coming into line will on the other hand bring us in line with the ROI established tax rates which will benefit large corporate businesses such as google, apple and Microsoft who will use the pass through off shore tax loops to save more money but the benefit will be guaranteed high paid jobs will come north in the thousands.
The biggest problem will be managing the jobs overspill which currently is a problem in the north anyway. Again, this would result in costing the south more to take up the slack before the savings will eventually come in to play after about 10 years. This would have to be offset some way, and tourism offers the best potential.
The south also qualify for full low rate borrowing t the same rate as Germany next year.
It is a shame that we are still not mature enough to discuss unification seriously and looking at how we could rebuild a unified economy to benefit the whole island. There is potential for us to grow tourism here to 18 million in 10 years but only through unification, peace and using our loaves.
As for comparing the two economies, doesn’t really matter they will always fluctuate through good time and bad times. The continuing fall in oil could close Scottish oil within years as it is expected to continue falling to below 20 dollars a barrel.
Northern Ireland will never be economically viable or socially stable without unification.
That is a fact no-one can repudiate.
The south has proven starting from nothing without britains help for the hardest years we can do it on our own.
Now we are waiting for the aging old guard unionists to die off so we can have mature discussion about our options.
I was paying some attention to what you said until this popped up
Northern Ireland will never be economically viable or socially stable without unification.
That is a fact no-one can repudiate.
That is why you run and don’t own a Business Jessica
The south has proven starting from nothing without britains help for the hardest years we can do it on our own.
Sorry have you forgot the last 5 years Jessica who baled you out again?
“Sorry have you forgot the last 5 years Jessica who baled you out again?”
When Ireland reunifies, I would hope that this time we will be able to rely much more on britains help than 100 years ago, both socially and economically.
We will never compete anywhere near the same level as England and should never try to, but as our largest trading neighbour with more than a little social investment, bearing in mind the size of the Irish population living in britain, I would hope with maturity the relationship between our two nations would only grow stronger through independence.
The terms of reunification are not pre written and in our own hands neill, you can be certain britain will be a major part of that solution before, during and after which will only improve everyone’s lot.
It is sad to think that we would be unable to remove the animosity of the past to build the best possible future together.
Ireland will always be a part of the british isles, the same cannot be said for the european union.
Jessica!! Where have you been all our lives???
A joint unionist/ Fine Gael coalition??? I like the idea that if that mindset could come together and lead to a UI that through time and demographic processes and adult, grown up political debate. I might be swayed to go with that
“A joint unionist/ Fine Gael coalition??? ”
Personally, I would consider that a terrifying prospect but it is a likely outcome of reunification that many have perhaps not fully considered, but would be unavoidable such is democracy.
in time though, the economic commonality under such circumstances would result in more social political alliances and the current tribal groupings would dissipate due to necessity and demand from the people and we would have a normal variation between left and right.
Yes Jessica, that was precisely the direction I alluded at. Look, not everyone is going to get their own way and on their own terms and as some else hinted at, the terms of reunification are not laid out……is that coalition so unpalatable that you would vote NO in any referendum? I merely see it as a necessary thing to unite previously divided people.
“is that coalition so unpalatable that you would vote NO in any referendum?”
I would accept whatever decision all of the people on this island make providing it was based on informed choice and afforded the serious economic and social considerations it deserves.
“I would leave as I have no interest whatsoever in a United Ireland. Out of sheer badness I would try to wreck as much of the place though to make it even more expensive for you to repair Jessica. : )”
Loyalists already drew up that plan many decades ago, the scorched earth policy.
In reality, the process will be so slow that will not be a problem. Bear in mind, 2 years to discuss a referendum properly, a 6 year plan to implement, would mean if we started now and we haven’t, the soonest reunification could happen would be in 8 years time, say 2024. So you can be sure it wont be happening before then.
You wont have to wreck anything just yet neill. Keep it cool 🙂
Well we were supposed to have Irish unity by 2016 the ways it going I wont hold my breath..: )
“Well we were supposed to have Irish unity by 2016 the ways it going I wont hold my breath..: )”
You sound more like you anxious for it to happen by 2016 neill but if there was a predetermines date I would like to think I would be aware of it.
Not sure where that date came from, but it may have been more to preoccupy and play on unionist fears than was ever a realistic deadline.
Not difficult to see where it was plucked from though, but I don’t think you could pick a worse year to be honest.
It would nice if we could start discussing it seriously next year.
Ask your leader Jessica he brought it up.
Jessica
11 posts out of 33 on this particular topic.You do seem to have a lot of time on your hands!
Hey, Argie – leave Jessica alone! She’s doing good work (thinks: unlike some others I could point the finger at…)
When you run your own business you work far too much, I am rarely far from a computer and to be honest it is usually therapeutic rambling to give me some time out when I see the emails coming in. Skiving I suppose
Hopefully I haven’t been torturing everyone too much with my (I accept) opinionated views.
Au contraire, Jessica – you are a valuable asset…
A factual statement ,Jude but as it’s your blogspot feel free to rush to her defence!I would have thought that she was more than capable of doing that herself!