On foot of a PQ response from the Tánaiste, Aontú Deputy Leader Cllr Denise Mullen has welcomed the significant increases in all Ireland trade and said this is a sign of the path forwards toward achieving Irish unity.
Cllr Mullen: “I welcomed the Tánaiste’s response to Aontú’s parliamentary question on the value of all Ireland trade and what exactly is being done to bolster the 32 county economy. From January 2020 to August 2021, the value of exports from South to North was more than €4.5 billion. In particular the €2.2 billion in exports from January 2021 to August 2021, represented a 47% increase over the same period in 2020. Then from North to South, the value of exports from January 2020 to August 2021 was €4.9 billion. The €2.5 billion in exports from January 2021 to August 2021 was a 61% increase over the same time in 2020.
These figures of course do not account the value of services in the all-Ireland economy. €9.4 billion in goods being exported within the 32 counties is just the tip of the iceberg, and affirmation that a cohesive economy from Derry to Kerry is the path towards a united Ireland.”
“I also commend the work of InterTradeIreland in boosting all-Ireland trade, and supporting the 44,000 cross-border traders. IntertradeIreland needs to have its funding and staff increased in order to improve these figures further. To be honest InterTradeIreland needs to take on a far larger role in promoting enterprise development throughout the country north and south. This shows what can be achieved when we harness the full potential of our island”.
It is imperative that we begin to harmonise our institutions and systems both North and South to create a united Ireland, which is not divided by partition, economic power or access to Healthcare. Aontú, our party’s name, is Irish for ‘Unity’ and ‘Agreement’. We chose that name because we seek to unify Ireland – not only north and south, but also east west. We want to live in a prosperous Ireland, but we also want genuine solidarity. We want a cohesive society and to help heal the deep divisions – economic, societal and otherwise – caused by the establishment parties relying on the border for their political gain.”
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