Cross-border shoppers are fair game, says Donaldson

The North's business leaders were today urged to do all they can to attract shoppers from Ireland – despite objections from the Government.

Shoppers from the south have been travelling north in droves to benefit from the strength of the euro, and the British government plan to cut VAT from next month offers a further incentive.

Stormont junior minister Jeffrey Donaldson has said traders in the south were able to undercut fuel prices for years and he welcomed the fact that the economic tables had now turned.

He also questioned why Government should brand spending money in one part of the island unpatriotic.

“The recent cut in VAT means retailers in Northern Ireland are very well placed to offer some attractive prices to shoppers in the Republic,” said Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) representative Mr Donaldson.

“The tables have turned.

“It was not so long ago that our retailers were suffering when it worked the other way around.

“I would encourage retailers in Northern Ireland to advertise to shoppers in the Republic to do their Christmas shopping in Northern Ireland and hopefully that would provide a boost to the economy.”

Mr Donaldson represents the Lagan Valley constituency, which covers parts of counties Antrim and Down and includes retail outlets benefiting from cross-border trade, including Lisburn’s Sprucefield complex.

Last month, when Brian Lenihan unveiled the Government’s austere budget, he said support for the economy was a patriotic duty.

In a recent RTE interview, the minister said: “When you shop in Northern Ireland, you’re paying Her Majesty’s taxes, you’re not paying taxes to the state that you live in.”

Some business leaders in the south have urged an end to shopping trips in the North.

Fianna Fáil brands itself as “the republican party”, but today Mr Donaldson challenged its nationalist credentials.

“It is interesting that the Irish Government supports a united Ireland, but when it comes to patriotism, that only extends to the 26 counties of the Republic,” said Mr Donaldson.

The DUP representative, who is a junior minister in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, said he encouraged all the North's retailers to maximise the benefits of cross-border trade.

In recent years economic conditions, including the relative strength of the euro and sterling, plus lower fuel duty in Ireland, had seen northern shoppers travelling south.