AQO 303/17-22 Oral question to the Minister for the Economy
To ask the Minister for the Economy to outline her plans to protect and develop an all-island economy in the context of Brexit.
Asked by Andrew Muir MLA on 27 February 2020
- Answered
- Oral
- After due date
- Tabled
- 27 February 2020
- Answer due by
- 9 March 2020
- Answered
- 23 March 202025 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for the Economy
- Priority question
- No
Answer
I have no plans to develop an all-island economy. Our approach to Brexit needs to work for all of our trade flows; north-south, east-west and globally. The Minister wants to grow trade in all directions to benefit all in our economy.
It is important that Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland continue to co-operate on areas of mutual economic interest.
Great Britain is by far our largest external market, accounting for £24.6 billion of sales and purchases in goods and services annually. It is vital to ensure that access to that valuable market is maintained.
I recently made these points to the Minister of State for Business and the Minister of State for International Trade.
I will continue to press UK Government to ensure that it meets its commitments to guarantee unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the whole of the UK internal market, to engage with the Executive on measures to protect and strengthen our place in the UK internal market, and to develop an international trade policy that works for the whole of the UK.