Brendan Smith Asks for All-Ireland Investment to Protect Border Areas
Brendan Smith asked experts John and Edgar what investments the government should make on an all-Ireland basis to offset the fallout from the COVID pandemic and Brexit. He sought recommendations on major investment in human capital and physical infrastructure, with a focus on less developed regions and the central border area.
Main question to experts
Smith invited John and Edgar to advise government on investment priorities for the all-Ireland economy, asking what major types of investment would best mitigate the combined impacts of COVID and Brexit.
Focus on human capital and physical infrastructure
He specifically sought recommendations on investments "both on human capital and in physical infrastructure" as tools to reduce harm to vulnerable areas and support longer-term recovery.
Economic context referenced
Smith noted the growth of the all-Ireland economy, attributing that growth to the Good Friday Agreement and the new structures put in place, and warned of fallout from the COVID pandemic and Brexit regardless of its form.
Regional concern - central border area
The question emphasised the less developed regions of the country, with particular reference to the central border area and how targeted investment could help mitigate economic and social effects there.
Expert response requested
Smith concluded by addressing the two experts directly and inviting their response, signalling a call for practical, regionally-focused investment advice in the debate.
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Thank you very much. Just a very brief question to John and Edgar. If you were to advise government in relation to making investment in the economy on an all Ireland basis, and we have seen the growth of the all Ireland economy, thankfully due to the Good Friday Agreement and the new structures that were put in place, with the fallout that there will be from the COVID pandemic and also particularly from Brexit, no matter what Brexit we have, what would you recommend as a major type of investment, both on human capital and in physical infrastructure, that could help to mitigate the effects of the COVID pandemic and Brexit on the less developed regions of our country in particular, and again I am referring to the central border area. Thank you, Oka Hirlig. Thank you. I'll take this.
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