Empey says no - Assault on plan to unify economy

THE ambitious new plan to marry the economies of the North and the Republic will, depending on one’s political viewpoint, be seen either as an enlightened vision of Ireland in the 21st century or a poisoned chalice.

Even before the ink was dry on the picture of an all-island economy, outlined by the Irish and British governments, contrasting signals were coming from the Dublin-London axis and Belfast.

From a government perspective, it has the essential ingredients for building a strong, competitive and socially inclusive Ireland.