A STRONG ECONOMY AND A SHARED FUTURE
Economic and social challenges for Northern Ireland
Of course here in Northern Ireland we face some big economic and social problems to resolve.
Unemployment, while hovering around the national average, is still far too high, particularly among young people leaving school and university.
The economy is still far too dependent on public spending…according to some studies it accounts for a massive three quarters of Northern Ireland’s GDP.
Against the background of the financial position the Government inherited, that is simply unsustainable.
If we are to build solid foundations for a prosperous future for Northern Ireland ... we need to rebalance the economy away from dependence on public spending by revitalising the private sector
Yes, it’s a big task.
Like the rest of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland is in a global competition for investment and jobs.
But Northern Ireland has a great many things going for it as a place to do business.
And speaking here it would be remiss of me if I didn’t include two world-class universities among our best assets ... along with the top quality graduates and world class research they produce.
We also have some great businesses…but we need more of them.
If we’re to ensure that Northern Ireland fulfils its potential, we need effort from both the UK Government and the Executive here.
We need to work together in the interests of all the people of Northern Ireland…and to promote the best of Northern Ireland.
And despite what’s happened in recent weeks ... 2013 has the potential to be a great year for Northern Ireland.
Derry/Londonderry has taken its place as the first ever UK City of Culture.
Belfast will host the World Police and Fire Games, the third largest multi-sporting event on the planet.
And in June, Fermanagh will host some of the world’s most powerful leaders when the G8 is held in Lough Erne.
That’s global branding that money simply could not buy and one of the reasons for David Cameron’s personal decision to bring the summit here is because he believes this will give Northern Ireland a tremendous opportunity to show the world all that it has to offer.
Flag protests
But all our efforts to promote Northern Ireland and boost the economy are hampered massively by the scenes of violence that have been transmitted around the globe since early December.
The actions of those involved in riots are shocking and they are intolerable.
They are dishonouring our flag….damaging the economy…and risk weakening support for the Union.
In other words these people are undermining the very causes in which they claim to believe.
And they should all be very clear that they are at grave risk of receiving prison sentence and criminal record that will permanently blight their future.
The Union
And no one should ever under-estimate the positive change brought about the by the Belfast Agreement.
Most importantly, the vast majority of people here can lead their lives with a normality and freedom from fear which would have been inconceivable during the Troubles.
That should never be taken for granted.
The constitutional position of Northern Ireland has been settled on the basis of consent.
There is widespread agreement that it would be wrong to make any change in the status of Northern Ireland save with the consent of a majority of its people
The territorial claim to sovereignty in Articles 2 and 3 of the Irish Constitution has been dropped ... something unionists had long campaigned for.
In fact I would argue that Northern Ireland’s place in the UK is probably stronger now than at any point in its history.
So the claim that Britishness is being inexorably and steadily eroded is simply untrue ... a fact illustrated by Belfast City Hall itself.
The flag may not fly there every day right now, but it’s hard to imagine a building more steeped in British cultural tradition and symbolism than the Portland stone Victorian splendour of Belfast City Hall.
But it should always be remembered that a fundamental part of the Belfast Agreement ... an agreement, remember, which was supported by the PUP and others who professed to speak for the loyalist paramilitaries, as well as by a wide range of other unionists ... clearly and expressly guarantees protection for the different identities present in Northern Ireland.
It rightly protects both Britishness and Irishness and finding ways to respect ... and indeed celebrate ... both of Northern Ireland’s two distinctive cultural identities should not be impossible in a United Kingdom which is now more ethnically, religiously and culturally diverse than at any time in our history.
So I say again, the violence has to stop and the protests need to be replaced by a meaningful political dialogue on a way forward on flags which sees decisions taken in an inclusive way which respects different perspectives and traditions.
Shared future
Of course the fact that some parts of the community feel left behind is a real concern.
It’s a sentiment felt by some from the loyalist tradition and by some from a nationalist background.
I am keen to listen, and to work with the Executive to see how we can address their concerns, such as how we can attract more investment and jobs.
And I also want to work with them and Northern Ireland’s political leaders on how we can build a genuinely shared future for all.
It can’t be right that so many children here are educated completely separately…
… that public housing remains so segregated …
… and that since the 2006 St Andrew’s Agreement the number of so-called peace walls has gone up.
The events of the last two months show more clearly than ever that need to address community division and sectarianism in Northern Ireland is now pressing.
It is vital for our security because it fuels grievances on which paramilitaries and terrorists will always seek to prey.
And it is vital to our economy because Northern Ireland can’t afford to spend a million a week policing riots and protests and it certainly can’t afford to see inward investors heading past us and away to Eastern Europe or India or China and taking jobs and opportunities with them.
A shared future can’t be imposed from London ... the devolution settlement leaves the key policy responsibilities with Northern Ireland’s elected representatives.
This is an immensely difficult task.
It is one which requires local solutions, local leadership and local drive to move forward and it is time for Northern Ireland’s political leadership to show that they are capable of fixing this problem as they have so many others in the last 20 years.
Conclusion
None of this will be achieved against a background of protest, riot and violence.
Northern Ireland will fall further behind in the global race…to the detriment of everyone who lives here.
And the best and the brightest, on whom Northern Ireland’s future depends, will look elsewhere for jobs and somewhere to bring up a family.
So end the disorder and protests and let’s get on with rebalancing and strengthening the economy.
Let’s get on with building a shared future in the interests of the whole community.
And let’s start promoting a modern, confident, outward looking Northern Ireland that’s put the past behind it and is ready to compete with the best in the world in global race for jobs and investment.