There’s no economic downside to Irish unity, new third-level research has revealed

Donegal TD Pearse Doherty has welcomed new research into the economics of Irish unity that shows there are no economic barriers to a united Ireland.

The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Finance was commenting on research published on Thursday, July 3 and produced as part of a joint programme between Ulster University and Dublin City University.

Deputy Doherty said progress on the issue has been “held back for too long by fear-mongering about the so-called ‘subvention’, a British accounting practice that never represented the economic cost of Irish unity.”

He added: “I welcome the clear recognition in this research that the cost of unity has been exaggerated because the subvention has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. This comprehensive research has delivered a fatal blow to economic arguments against a united Ireland.”

“The research rightly states that ‘the costs associated with unity have tended to be exaggerated and the benefits of an all-Ireland economy largely ignored’.”

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Deputy Doherty said Irish unity is an economic opportunity that we need to grasp, and that means doing the preparation work now.

“The government needs to get into gear and get into step with the momentum behind Irish unity. We need to see vision and leadership on this defining issue.”

“This research leaves no doubt that Irish unity can deliver economic benefits to people across this Island. We need to build on this with confidence and ambition,” he urged.