Kearney calls for urgent action to remove barriers facing cross-border workers

South Antrim Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has called for urgent action to address the administrative and legal barriers facing cross-border workers.

He said greater integration of the all-island economy is essential to delivering economic growth and shared prosperity following passage of Sinn Féin’s motion to highlight this issue in the Assembly.

The South Antrim MLA said: “The deepening integration of the all-island economy has been one of the most positive outcomes of the Good Friday Agreement and our peace process.

“Cross-border trade has grown from €2 billion in 1999 to more than €17 billion today. This demonstrates the enormous benefits of economic integration and the potential to achieve much more.

“However, more than 18,000 cross-border workers continue to face unnecessary obstacles, including complications around payroll, social security, pensions and health insurance.

“The commitment made by the British Prime Minister and Taoiseach earlier this year to address these issues must now be progressed urgently. We need practical solutions that make cross-border employment easier for workers and employers alike.

“The all-island economy benefits everyone, but we must be ambitious about its future.

“Ultimately, partition is the single biggest obstacle to realising our full economic potential. Irish unity offers the opportunity to create a genuinely integrated, friction-free economy, delivering greater prosperity and a better quality of life for workers, families and communities across this island.”

Meanwhile, Mr Kearney has called on the Irish government to turn the announcement by an Taoiseach on constitutional change into concrete action on planning for Irish unity.

The South Antrim MLA commented that constitutional change is firmly on the political horizon and preparations must begin now.

Mr Kearney said: “The Taoiseach’s confirmation to become involved in the discussion on Irish Unity is a welcome shift. His recognition that a comprehensive programme of work is required to plan for unity must now be matched by action.

“Sinn Féin is calling for an inclusive, all-island Citizens’ Assembly, which should bring together republican, unionist and other perspectives to plan for reunification. This must examine the implications for public services, jobs, pensions, citizens’ rights, and the economy.

“Any new Ireland must guarantee and protect all identities, traditions and cultures, including the orange tradition. Advancing our shared future must take us all beyond the divisions of the past, and lay the foundations for a prosperous, inclusive and reconciled society.”