What is to be done about Stormont? At present we have a crisis about the health service and a related crisis about social care. We have another about the lack of sewerage and water supply infrastructure. And then we have the failures and weaknesses in parts of our education and skills systems. Far too many […]
In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) brought our society an expectation of much improved times. I moved to Northern Ireland the following year, carried over from Britain on a tide of optimism. It was exciting, but what has happened since is disappointing. Yes, the violent conflict is over. Communal murders are few, though drugs-related
First, the good news. Derry is one of the most improved small cities in the UK’s devolved nations, according to the 2019 Good Growth Index published by the Demos think-tank and accountancy firm PwC. The bad news, though, is that Derry remains firmly at the bottom of the list as the worst performing small city
The Republic of Ireland’s economy will grow by 4.9% this year, while Northern Ireland’s will grow by 1.1%, according to predictions from accountancy and consultancy firm EY in its most recent Economic Eye review. This is not a one-off. Last year, the Republic’s economy grew by 7.8%, compared to 1.6% in the north. And, expects