AQO 2706/17-22

Mr Trevor Lunn
Independent
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 21/10/2021
Answered On Date: 10/11/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy for his assessment of the current figures for trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Answer:

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in the Republic of Ireland (RoI), trade flows between Northern Ireland (NI) and RoI have seen increases in both directions.

However, care should be taken when interpreting such data and I am aware that the CSO has highlighted methodological changes for collecting and reporting trade data between NI and RoI.

It is important to note that Great Britain (GB) remains NI’s most important external market in terms of volume and value. The Protocol has made it more difficult to receive goods from GB and I will continue to press for a long-term solution to these issues for the businesses, and consumers, in NI.