A DONEGAL senator has
called for the development of an all Ireland economy
with the harmonisation of labour laws, tax regimes
and currency. Sinn Féin's Senator Pearse Doherty
said the two different tax regimes, currencies and
labour laws operating in Ireland were hampering the
development of a real and effective economy. He made
his call at a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint
Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday
Agreement. Senator Doherty told the meeting that
cross border shopping would continue to cause
problems on either side of the border unless and all
island economy was developed and expanded.
"We have all seen and heard, at this stage, of the
problems associated with price differentials on
either side of the border. At the moment, this
differential is benefiting businesses on the
Northern side of the border at the expense of
Southern side. However, in time, as we have seen in
the past, the benefit will shift and cause problems
on the other side of the border," said Senator
Doherty.
"At a time when prices in the North were attracting
shoppers from the South, the Government here
actually increased the rate of VAT, increasing
prices and decreasing consumers’ spending
capabilities.
“We also have a situation which sees Enterprise
Ireland and Invest NI on a competitive footing,
ignoring the benefits of joining together to lobby
for jobs for the benefit of regions that share the
border on both sides. Differing labour laws on
either side of the border puts the different regions
in competition with each other in a race to the
bottom to attract investors." He stressed the need
for the development of a "real all Ireland economy".
"We must look at harmonising our tax regimes, our
labour laws and our currencies. Only when we do this
can the benefits and potential of the all Ireland
economy be allowed to develop for the benefit of the
whole island.” |
