Northern Irish economic gains are not guaranteed

Significance

Efforts to attract foreign investment to Northern Ireland have so far failed to bring about the desired results, owing to long-term issues that undermine investment, including low productivity, policy inaction and political instability.

Impacts

• The UK-EU trade deal is due for review in 2025, which could be an opportunity to improve its terms.
• The longer Northern Ireland is without a government, the greater the risk of labour and social unrest.
• The Northern Ireland Assembly will vote on its 'consent' to the post-Brexit trading arrangements by year-end, with or without a government.