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Economy of Northern Ireland

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The economy of Northern Ireland is the smallest of the four constituents of the United Kingdom and the smaller of the two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. At the time of the Partition of Ireland in 1922, and for a period afterwards, Northern Ireland had a predominantly industrial economy, most notably in shipbuilding, rope manufacture and textiles, but most heavy industry has since been replaced by services.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Northern Ireland's economy has strong links to the economies of the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.

Economy of Northern Ireland
Belfast City Centre
CurrencyPound sterling (£)
1 April to 31 March[a]
Statistics
Population1,910,543 (2022)[1]
GDP£56.7 billion (2022)[2]
GDP per capita
£29,674 (2022)[2]
Labour force
879,000 / 71.8% in employment (Jan–Mar 2024)[b][3]
Labour force by occupation
List
  • 23.9% Professional
  • 12.0% Administrative and secretarial
  • 11.9% Skilled trades
  • 10.8% Associate professional
  • 10.3% Caring, leisure and other service
  • 9.3% Elementary occupations
  • 7.9% Sales and customer service
  • 7.0% Managers, directors and senior officials
  • 6.1% Process plant and machine operatives
  • (Jan–Dec 2023)[c][3]
Unemployment19,000 / 2.1% (Jan–Mar 2024)[d][3]
Average gross salary
£643.30 per week (2023)[e][3]
External
Exports£13.2 billion (2021)[f][4]
Export goods
List
  • £2.6bn Machinery and transport
  • £1.4bn Food and live animals
  • £1.1bn Chemicals
  • £0.9bn Miscellaneous manufactures
  • £0.9bn Manufactured goods
  • £0.4bn Beverages and tobacco
  • £0.4bn Mineral fuels
  • £0.3bn Crude materials
  • £0.1bn Animal and vegetable oils
  • £0.0bn Other commodities
  • £8.0bn Total
  • (2021)[g][5]
Main export partners
List
  • £5.1bn European Union
  • £1.3bn North America
  • £0.9bn Asia & Oceania
  • £0.2bn Middle East and North Africa (excl. EU)
  • £0.1bn Western Europe (excl. EU)
  • £0.1bn Sub-Saharan Africa
  • £0.1bn Latin America and Caribbean
  • £0.1bn Eastern Europe (excl. EU)
  • — Undefined country group
  • £8.0bn Total
  • (2021)[g][5]
Imports£11.0 billion (2021)[f][4]
Import goods
List
  • £1.8bn Machinery and transport
  • £1.4bn Food and live animals
  • £1.4bn Manufactured goods
  • £1.3bn Chemicals
  • £1.1bn Miscellaneous manufactures
  • £0.4bn Crude materials
  • £0.3bn Mineral fuels
  • £0.2bn Beverages and tobacco
  • £0.1bn Animal and vegetable oils
  • £0.0bn Other commodities
  • £7.9bn Total
  • (2021)[g][5]
Main import partners
List
  • £5.3bn European Union
  • £1.4bn Asia & Oceania
  • £0.6bn North America
  • £0.3bn Western Europe (excl. EU)
  • £0.1bn Latin America and Caribbean
  • £0.1bn Eastern Europe (excl. EU)
  • £0.1bn Middle East and North Africa (excl. EU)
  • £0.0bn Sub-Saharan Africa
  • — Undefined country group
  • £7.9bn Total
  • (2021)[g][5]

Overview

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Output and economic growth

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In 2022 Northern Ireland had the smallest economy of any of the twelve ITL 1 regions of the United Kingdom, at £55.5 billion; however, this is partly because Northern Ireland has the smallest population and at £26,600 Northern Ireland had a greater GDP per capita than both North East England and Wales.[13] [14]

Rural areas including the North West are particularly deprived. It suffers from the highest unemployment and highest poverty rates in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the 1990s, the Northern Irish economy grew faster than the rest of the UK, due in part to the rapid growth of the economy of the Republic of Ireland and the so-called "peace dividend". An April 2007 survey found Northern Ireland's average house price to be one of the highest in the UK, behind London, the South East, and the South West. It also found Northern Ireland to have all of the top ten property "hot spots", with the Craigavon and Newtownards areas increasing by 55%.[15] However, as of 2018 Northern Ireland house prices are the lowest on average in the UK, approximately 40% lower than before the bubble burst in 2008.

Employment

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Unemployment in Northern Ireland has fallen substantially in recent years, and in early 2024, it was at 2.1%.[16][17] In 2024, working-age economic inactivity is 26.7%.[18][19] Youth unemployment and long-term unemployment have fallen most quickly.

Northern Ireland's macroeconomy is also characterised by considerably longer actual working hours and lower gender income disparity than in the United Kingdom as a whole.[19][20]

Challenges in the 2020s

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The Northern Ireland economy has been adversely affected by Brexit, COVID-19 and the collapse of Stormont.[21][22][23]

Brexit

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The Northern Ireland Protocol created a de facto customs border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, leading to major changes in imports and exports.[24][25][26]

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

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The economy of Northern Ireland was negatively impacted by the lockdowns and travel restrictions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism and hospitality industry was particularly hard hit. These sectors "have been mandated to close since 26 December 2020, with a very limited number of exceptions" and many restrictions were continuing into April 2021.[27] Hotels and other accommodations, for example, "closed apart from only for work-related stays".[28] Restaurants and pubs were restricted to take-away service. In February 2021, the government said it would not consider "reopening hospitality before mid-summer".[29]

In late March, owners and operators of many types of businesses signed a petition "calling for the economy to reopen" and requested a "proper timetable plan" for rebuilding the economy. The content also discussed the "catastrophe" that the lockdowns and restrictions had created.[30] Government assistance was available; the £25,000 Retail, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Grant was closed by 25 March 2021 but "a further payment" was to be made to eligible businesses.

Some restrictions were expected to be loosened in mid April but tourism was expected to remain very limited.[31] Anyone entering NI and planning to stay for a day or longer was required to "self-isolate for 10 days"; this did not apply to those on "essential" trips. Everyone entering NI was required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test.[32]

Restrictions were fully relaxed after two years in February 2022.[33]

The collapse of Stormont

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Stormont has been collapsed on six occasions in 25 years, most recently from February 2022 to February 2024. This has led to instability in the economy.[34][35][36]

Investment

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Foreign direct investment was restrained by The Troubles;[37] however, since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, investment in Northern Ireland has increased significantly. Most investment has been focused in Greater Belfast and to a lesser extent Greater Derry. Major projects have included the Victoria Square Shopping Centre Belfast City Centre and Titanic Quarter waterfront development.[38] The Laganside Corporation was previously at the forefront of the redevelopment along the banks of the River Lagan. The Cathedral Quarter has also seen substantial investment. In Derry, the ILEX Urban Regeneration Company no longer exists. The area is 12th in terms of funding despite it being the second city.[citation needed]

In 2024, key industries in Northern Ireland include aerospace, agriculture, construction, engineering, health technology, manufacturing, services and tourism.[39] Finance and creative digital areas are also strong in Belfast.[40]

Agriculture

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Agriculture in Northern Ireland is heavily mechanised. In 2000, agriculture accounted for 2.4% of economic output in Northern Ireland, compared to 1% in the United Kingdom as a whole.[41] As in the rest of the United Kingdom, livestock and dairy account for the majority of agricultural output. The main crops are potatoes, barley, and wheat.

By 2021, Northern Ireland was self-sufficient in food production and was able to export more than half of its meat and crops to the rest of the UK and beyond.[42][43]

Manufacturing

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Harland and Wolff cranes in Belfast

Machinery and equipment manufacturing, food processing, textile and electronics manufacturing are the leading industries. Other industries such as papermaking, furniture manufacturing, aerospace and shipbuilding are also important, concentrated mostly in the eastern parts of Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland experienced a period of steep manufacturing growth between 1998 and 2001.[44]

Engineering is the largest manufacturing sub-sector in Northern Ireland, particularly in the fields of aerospace and heavy machinery. Major employers are Moy Park, Spirit Aerosystems, Caterpillar and Seagate.[45]

Harland and Wolff, which in the early 20th century was the world's biggest shipbuilder, suffered from intense international competition during the 1970s and 1980s and declined rapidly. During the 1990s the company diversified into civil engineering and industrial fabrication, manufacturing bridges and oil platforms. The vast works on Queen's Island were downsized, with much of the land (including the slipway where RMS Titanic was built) sold off for redevelopment in the 2000s as the Titanic Quarter. H&W has not built a ship since 2003, but has seen workload increase through shipbreaking, ship repair and maintenance and conversion work. The company has also been active in the design and construction of offshore power generation equipment- both wind turbines and wave-action turbines.

Services

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Services account for almost 70% of economic output, and 78% of employees.[citation needed][needs update]

Public sector

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In 1992 the public sector accounted for 37% of the workforce.

In December 2008 the public sector in Northern Ireland accounted for 30.8% of the total workforce; this is significantly higher than the overall UK figure.[citation needed]

By 2022, the public sector accounted for 27% of NI job, compared to 18% across the UK.[46]

In total in 2006, the British government subvention totalled £5,000m, or 20% of Northern Ireland's economic output.[47] This had risen to £11,547m in 2009–10 during the "Great Recession", and then fell back to £9,160m in 2013–14.[48] A 2017 article by a research professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute quantified the transfers at 10.8 billion Euro annually.[49] In late 2018 The Irish Times estimated that the subvention had risen to £10.8 billion, about a quarter of Northern Ireland's GDP.[50]

Currency

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The official currency in use in Northern Ireland is the British pound sterling. The euro, in use in the Republic of Ireland, is also accepted by some retailers.

Four Northern Irish banks print their own sterling-denominated banknotes: Bank of Ireland, First Trust Bank, Danske Bank, and Ulster Bank. The central bank of the UK is the Bank of England.

Energy

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Energy policy in the province is set by the Department for the Economy.

Primary energy consumption (yearly)[51]
Source GWh %
Coal 1,169.1 14.4
Oil 24.3 0.3
Gas 4,178.1 51.5
Wind 2,439.8 30.0
Solar 162.7 2.0
Hydro 15.2 0.2
Other renewable 364.1 4.5
Net Imports -236.8 -2.9
Total 8,119.5 100

Electricity

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Northern Ireland's electrical grid is operated by System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) and the distribution is managed by Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) which owns and manages the infrastructure which connects over 850,000 customers. Electricity consumption in Northern Ireland was 7,867 GW·h in 2002/3.[52] At 4.6 MW·h per person, this is 18% less than that of the rest of the United Kingdom (5.6 MW·h per person).[when?] There are three main power stations in Northern Ireland: Ballylumford & Kilroot power stations located in County Antrim and Coolkeeragh power station in County Londonderry. The electricity grid throughout the island of Ireland is operated as a single system, with separate control centers in Dublin and Belfast.

Northern Ireland's electrical grid is connected to that of the Republic of Ireland by three cross-border interconnectors. The main interconnector, between Tandragee and Louth has a capacity of 1,200 MW. Two back-up interconnectors have a combined capacity of 240 MW. This combined all-island grid is connected to the National Grid on Great Britain by the 500 MW Moyle interconnector, under the North Channel.[53]

Gas

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Gas for the Greater Belfast area is supplied via the Scotland-Northern Ireland pipeline (SNIP), a 24-inch-diameter (610 mm) interconnector. SSE Airtricity and firmus energy supply gas to the Greater Belfast area via Phoenix Natural Gas' network.

In the other areas of Northern Ireland, specifically towards Derry City, gas comes from two interconnector pipelines, one being supplied by the Republic's gas supplier, Bord Gáis. The North-West pipeline from Carrickfergus in County Antrim to Derry opened in November 2004, and the south–north pipeline from Gormanston (in the Republic) to Antrim was opened in October 2006. The complete south–north pipeline to Dublin opened in November 2007, passing Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and Newry. Since December 2005, Bord Gáis has supplied gas to residential customers in this area under the name firmus energy.

Transport

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George Best Belfast City Airport
 
The Enterprise passing Poyntzpass.

Northern Ireland has a total of 24,820 km (15,420 mi) of roads, or 1 km for each 68 people (1 mi for each 109 people), which is considerably more than in the United Kingdom as a whole (1 km per 162 people).[54] There are seven motorways in Northern Ireland, extending radially from Belfast, and connecting that city to Antrim, Dungannon, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, and Portadown.

Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) runs passenger trains and presently carries no freight. NIR connects Belfast Grand Central and Lanyon Place to Antrim, Ballymena, Coleraine, Portrush, Derry along the Northern Corridor and the Belfast Suburban Rail network serves places near Belfast, along with the Enterprise (train service) connecting Lisburn, Portadown, Newry and across the border along the Dublin-Belfast railway line to Dublin Connolly.

Northern Ireland has three civilian airports: Belfast City, Belfast International, and City of Derry. Only Belfast City Airport is served by train, from Sydenham station on the Bangor Line.

Major seaports in Northern Ireland include the Port of Belfast, the Derry Port and the Port of Larne. The Port of Belfast is one of the chief ports of the United Kingdom, handling 17 million tonnes (16.7 million long tons) of goods in 2005[55] By 2022, the Port of Belfast handled 24.5 million tonnes of trade per year as well as 1.8 million people and 141 cruise ships.[56]

In addition to these existing links, several organisations have proposed a tunnel under the North Channel, with one possible site connecting the eastern part of Northern Ireland to Wigtownshire. The idea has been given technical consideration since the 19th century.

A bridge from Warrenpoint to Omeath will begin construction in late 2024.[57][58]

Data

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The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) is the principal source of official statistics on Northern Ireland. These statistics and research inform public policy and associated debate in the wider society. NISRA is an Agency of the Department of Finance and Personnel.[59]

Alongside official national statistics a number of respected private sector surveys are used to understand how the economy is performing. These include the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey[60] which has information on the performance of Northern Irish businesses since 1989.

Regional Disparity / North-South Divide

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There are huge regional disparities in the UK with GDP per capita ranging from £23,000 in the North East of England to £56,450 in London in 2024.[16] In 2024, the GDP per capita in NI was £25,399.[61]

Between 1998 and 2024, the economy of NI grew by 38%, compared to the overall UK average of 41%.[62]

In 2017, 70% of the most deprived areas in NI were in Belfast and Derry City, with areas within both cities forming the ten most deprived areas in the region;[63] however, Fermanagh, Omagh and Mid-Ulster were found to be the most deprived areas in terms of access to services.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ 6 April – 5 April for personal tax
  2. ^ In employment and aged 16 or over (quantity) or aged 16–64 (percent)
  3. ^ Percent is a proportion of all persons in employment aged 16 and over
  4. ^ Unemployed aged 16 and over. Percent is a proportion of economically active.
  5. ^ Median gross weekly pay for full time employees resident in Northern Ireland
  6. ^ a b Goods and services
  7. ^ a b c d Excluding services

References

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  1. ^ "Mid-Year Population Estimates, UK, June 2022". Office for National Statistics. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Regional gross domestic product: all ITL regions". Office for National Statistics. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Labour Market Profile - Northern Ireland". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b Tuck, Helen (28 June 2023). "International trade in UK nations, regions and cities: 2021". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "UK Regional Trade in Goods Statistics". UK Trade Info. HM Revenue and Customs. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Trade increases between Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, figures show, as firms avoid GB checks". export.org.uk. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Northern Ireland Broad Economy Sales and Exports Statistics: Purchases and Imports Results 2018" (PDF). nisra.gov.uk. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Broad Economy Sales and Exports Statistics". nisra.gov.uk. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Gross domestic product of Northern Ireland from 1998 to 2019". statista.com. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Statistics on UK trade with Ireland" (PDF). parliament.uk. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Northern Ireland trade in goods, 2018" (PDF). Northern Ireland Assembly. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Trade increases between Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, figures show, as firms avoid GB checks". www.economy-ni.gov.uk. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  13. ^ Office of National Statistics website, Regional economic activity by gross domestic product, UK: 1998 to 2022
  14. ^ NI Department for the Economy website, Research Bulletin 24/3: Comparing GDP per Capita in Northern Ireland with the Rest of Europe and the USA, report by Ryan Connolly dated August 2024
  15. ^ "NI dominates housing hotspot list". BBC News. 24 April 2007.
  16. ^ a b Statista.com website, Unemployment rate in the UK 2024, by region, article by D Clark dated May 15, 2024
  17. ^ "Northern Ireland's economic fears". Ryan, Orla; BBC, 22 June 2001. Retrieved on 17 June 2006.
  18. ^ Pivotal website, Economic Inactivity in Northern Ireland, article dated May 1, 2024
  19. ^ a b Economic Overview Archived 7 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Northern Ireland DETI. 2006. Retrieved on 17 June 2006.
  20. ^ UK Government website, House of Commons Library section, Income and inequality: How does Northern Ireland compare with the UK as a whole?, article published 28 June 28, 2023
  21. ^ Queen's University Belfast website, Short and Long-Term Impact of Covid-19 on the Northern Ireland Economy: March 2021
  22. ^ Belfast Telegraph website, NI Business Activity Down as a Lack of Stormont Casts Dark Cloud over Economy, article by Margaret Canning dated August 14, 2023
  23. ^ BBC website, Brexit: The NI Protocol and its economic impact, article dated February 4, 2022
  24. ^ BBC website, Brexit: What is the new Northern Ireland trade deal?, article dated February 2, 2024
  25. ^ Economic Observatory website, How is Brexit Affecting Northern Ireland's Economy?, article by Esmond Birnie dated February 1, 2021
  26. ^ The Conversation website, New Brexit deal will be better for Northern Ireland’s economy than the protocol, research suggests, article by Geoffroy Duparc-Portier and Gioele Figus dated March 3, 2023
  27. ^ "Summary of Restrictions for Tourism & Hospitality Businesses". Tourism NI. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  28. ^ "Coronavirus lockdown rules in each part of the UK". Institute for Government. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  29. ^ "Ireland pubs: The four things that need to happen for bars and restaurants to reopen". Irish Mirror. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  30. ^ "Covid-19: NI business leaders call for economy to reopen". BBC News. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  31. ^ Cooke, Emma (2 March 2021). "Can I visit Northern Ireland? Latest travel advice for holidays this summer; Northern Ireland's next easing of restrictions will happen on April 12, but don't expect too many changes". The Telegraph. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  32. ^ "NI Covid-19 restrictions: Your questions answered". BBC News. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  33. ^ BBC website, Covid-19: Remaining restrictions in NI are lifted, article dated February 15, 2022
  34. ^ Pivotal website, Governing without government: the consequences, article dated September 4, 2023
  35. ^ CIPD website, Stormont is back - But what should it focus on?, article dated February 22, 2024
  36. '^ ITV website, Economic blackmail' as Northern Ireland loses share of £1bn over Stormont collapse, article dated November 20, 2023
  37. ^ Economic Observatory website, The Good Friday Agreement at 25: has there been a peace dividend?, article by Graham Brownlow, David Jordan and John Turner dated April 3, 2023
  38. ^ "Titanic Quarter". www.titanic-quarter.com.
  39. ^ NI Business Info website, Overview of Northern Ireland business, retrieved June 4, 2024
  40. ^ Belfast City Council website, Key Sectors, retrieved June 4, 2024
  41. ^ Portrait of the Regions: Northern Ireland. Eurostat. 2005. Retrieved on 17 June 2006.
  42. ^ Fact Check NI website, Does Northern Ireland produce enough to feed 10 million people?, article dated November 16, 2021
  43. ^ Beacom, Emma; Furey, Sinéad; Hollywood, Lynsey; Humphreys, Paul (25 April 2021). "Conceptualising household food insecurity in Northern Ireland: Risk factors, implications for society and the economy, and recommendations for business and policy response". Sn Business & Economics. 1 (5): 67. doi:10.1007/s43546-021-00070-9. PMC 8074353. PMID 34778828.
  44. ^ Quarterly Economic Review Archived 2 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Northern Ireland DETI. October 2005. Retrieved on 17 June 2006.
  45. ^ "Northern Ireland's 50 biggest employers". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  46. ^ Northern Ireland Government website, Business Register and Employment Survey, dated September 26, 2023
  47. ^ Ruddock, Alan (8 January 2006). "Comment: Addicted to state subvention, north will suffer when it's gone". The Times. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011.
  48. ^ "How dependent is Stormont on Westminster subvention?". FactCheckNI. 24 May 2016.
  49. ^ Morgenroth, Edgar (15 March 2017). "A united Ireland would be worse off than the Republic". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  50. ^ Gillespie, Paul (8 December 2018). "Post-Brexit Britain may not want to pay for Northern Ireland". The Irish Times.
  51. ^ "System and Renewable Data Summary Report". EirGrid. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  52. ^ Energy Archived 2 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Northern Ireland DETI. 23 October 2003. Retrieved on 17 June 2006.
  53. ^ Disposal of Moyle Interconnector Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Viridian Group. 11 April 2003. Retrieved on 17 June 2006.
  54. ^ Why Northern Ireland - Infrastructure Archived 15 March 2006 at the Wayback Machine. InvestNI. 2004. Retrieved on 17 June 2006.
  55. ^ "2005 Trade Figures Released" Archived 3 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Port of Belfast. 13 February 2006. Retrieved on 17 June 2006.
  56. ^ Belfast Harbour website, Delivering for Northern Ireland, retrieved June 4, 2024
  57. ^ Irish Government website, Government Announces Commencement of Construction of the Narrow Water Bridge, article dated June 4, 2024
  58. ^ BBC website, A bridge across the border 'will benefit all of us' , article by Cormac Campbell dated June 4, 2024
  59. ^ The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. NISRA. 2014. Retrieved on 16 June 2014.
  60. ^ British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey Archived 7 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine. BCC. 2014. Retrieved on 16 June 2014.
  61. ^ Statista.com website, Northern Ireland - Statistics and Facts, retrieved June 4, 2024
  62. ^ Northern Ireland Assembly website, Northern Ireland Economic Overview, published March 1, 2024
  63. ^ NI Statistics and Research Agency website, NI Multiple Deprivation Measures 2017, dated November 3, 2017
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