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Costs of Irish unification.

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  • Registered Users Posts: 67,428 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    murphaph wrote: »

    Can you link to the relevant info that will answer the question?

    p.s. I am asking relevant questions of people who claim to know this stuff, or at the least claim to have reviewed all the information and have certainly come to a conclusion on it.

    As far as I know, info-dumps are against the charter and are certainly against the principle of open discussion.


  • Registered Users Posts: 27,347 ✭✭✭✭blanch152



    Does anyone know why the Subvention took a massive rise after the GFA even though their was also huge increases in EU funding?


    One theory I have is that the North was ruled better from Westminister than from Stormont. The inability of the two main sectarian parties, who have been in government most of the time, to mange and grow the economy has been the key failure.

    The fact that Westminister has ponyed up every single time has helped to hide the exceptionally poor performance of the local politicians.


  • Registered Users Posts: 27,347 ✭✭✭✭blanch152


    Peregrinus wrote: »
    Well, there's no reason why some of those areas shouldn't get to productivity levels much higher than Roscommon, Leitrim, etc. They have much greater population density; they either have or are much closer to major urban areas, etc, etc.

    But, basically, I agree with you. I don't see a good case being made for expecting a reunification dividend which would replace the transfer from the UK. The onus is on those who argue that such a dividend can be looked for to make the case; I'm seeing no serious effort to do this, and I'm sceptical that it can easily be done.

    .


    There was a study commissioned by some American Friends of Sinn Fein group that more or less assumed that rapid economic growth as well as the magic money tax pool tree would ensure that the cost wasn't too much.






    Peregrinus wrote: »
    On the other hand, the indefinite payment of a transfer from the UK at the current level cannot be assumed, especially if Brexit is as painful for the UK as some think it might be. There could be a double whammy for NI; further reductions to the productivity of the NI economy as a result of hardening of the border, plus financial/political pressure on the payment of the transfer from an increasingly cash-strapped UK government. In that scenario the opportunity cost of reunification - loss of the transfer - is less, since the transfer declines anyway, and the benefits of unification are greater, since removing the Irish border will reverse some of the damage done by Brexit. Plus, if long-term economic growth in the RoI continues to outstrip that in GB it becomes more and more feasible to think of the RoI replacing at least a part of the transfer from GB.

    In short, this is a moveable feast. Right now it seems hard to construct an economic argument for reunification that stacks up well, but that could change in the future, especially if the economic benefits of integration into the UK become less and less.


    If the people of the South are behaving rationally (and economics often assumes that they do) why would they agree to replace even a part of the transfer from GB?


  • Registered Users Posts: 19,018 ✭✭✭✭murphaph


    Can you link to the relevant info that will answer the question?

    p.s. I am asking relevant questions of people who claim to know this stuff, or at the least claim to have reviewed all the information and have certainly come to a conclusion on it.

    As far as I know, info-dumps are against the charter and are certainly against the principle of open discussion.
    Just enabling you to do some of your own research!! I'm not interested why the north costs so much. I know that many southern counties nowhere near the border already require ongoing subsidy and most of the 6 counties would fall into this category too.

    Why would Fermanagh not require a subsidy that Mayo does?


  • Registered Users Posts: 67,428 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    blanch152 wrote: »
    One theory I have is that the North was ruled better from Westminister than from Stormont. The inability of the two main sectarian parties, who have been in government most of the time, to mange and grow the economy has been the key failure.

    The fact that Westminister has ponyed up every single time has helped to hide the exceptionally poor performance of the local politicians.

    I wouldn't disagree with the bolded bit.

    Why that is we might disagree on, though not on this thread.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 67,428 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    murphaph wrote: »
    Just enabling you to do some of your own research!! I'm not interested why the north costs so much. I know that many southern counties nowhere near the border already require ongoing subsidy and most of the 6 counties would fall into this category too.

    Why would Fermanagh not require a subsidy that Mayo does?

    But you say you want a UI, but you aren't interested in how much NI costs?
    That doesn't make sense. You have to be interested in the cost if you are interested in a UI.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    Again with the agression.

    I asked: Does anyone know why the SUBVENTION took a massive rise since the GFA.

    You answered: Peace dividend, - Titanic Centre being an example.

    I asked, How much of that is Subvention and how much is EU funding.

    You started lecturing on 'Magic money trees' and 'Fuzzies'.

    So I will ask the question again.

    Does anyone know why the Subvention took a massive rise after the GFA even though their was also huge increases in EU funding?

    Well to follow the earlier logic embraced in certain posts - partition, because it preceded NI's economic woes, was identified as the cause of those woes.....so I'm guessing that the GFA caused the subvention to bloat to its current level.

    I offered Titanic as an example......an illustrative example. I think it's a pretty good one - a fine building, a great attraction, but as the NIAO report makes out the intangibles, rather than the tangibles, associated with its construction won out when it was decided o build it. The opportunity cost of building an attraction that offered greater value for money was foregone to build it.

    I suppose given it's a gleaming monument to failure, it's probably apt that it is in Belfast.


  • Registered Users Posts: 19,018 ✭✭✭✭murphaph


    But you say you want a UI, but you aren't interested in how much NI costs?
    That doesn't make sense. You have to be interested in the cost if you are interested in a UI.
    I said I am not really interested in WHY the north costs what it costs because I know that most southern counties also cost more than they generate and require social transfers from (mostly) east Leinster.

    NI would just add more of those such counties.

    Do you accept that most of NI will continue to require subsidy in a UI, just as most southern counties do already?


  • Registered Users Posts: 67,428 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    Jawgap wrote: »
    Well to follow the earlier logic embraced in certain posts - partition, because it preceded NI's economic woes, was identified as the cause of those woes.....so I'm guessing that the GFA caused the subvention to bloat to its current level.

    I offered Titanic as an example......an illustrative example. I think it's a pretty good one - a fine building, a great attraction, but as the NIAO report makes out the intangibles, rather than the tangibles, associated with its construction won out when it was decided o build it. The opportunity cost of building an attraction that offered greater value for money was foregone to build it.

    I suppose given it's a gleaming monument to failure, it's probably apt that it is in Belfast.

    Might be a side point, but isn't the Titanic showing signs of paying back the investment in spades?

    Is it therefore not a monument to the possible?


  • Registered Users Posts: 67,428 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    murphaph wrote: »
    I said I am not really interested in WHY the north costs what it costs because I know that most southern counties also cost more than they generate and require social transfers from (mostly) east Leinster.

    NI would just add more of those such counties.

    Do you accept that most of NI will continue to require subsidy in a UI, just as most southern counties do already?

    I see no reason why Antrim (Belfast and urban area around it) and Derry would not be able to generate as economically viable and contributing hubs.

    Of course areas will require subsidy, but what those levels are even at the moment, is something we don't know.

    The detail is extremely obscure and the figures are disputed. That is not just me saying that, the Irish government agree as well when they looked at the implications of Brexit. Here is the relevant parts of that report:
    1.6 Lack of reliable economic data;a challenge and concern
    5
    With this quote Bradley pointed out that in the constantly contested politics of Northern
    Ireland where even the economic facts are disputed, this lack of reliable economic data
    helps to fuel dispute and, in the case of Brexit, gives a poor basis on which to plan a
    response. As Bradley also points out “policy errors or policy neglect seldom goes
    unpunished”.6 In his opinion, policy decisions are based on the data and thefacts
    available. To that end if the economic facts are unreliable or disputed then the likelihood
    of policy errors increase. This is a very concerning backdrop to the prospect of Brexit as
    it provides a very poor basis on which to plan a response.
    United States Congressman Brendan Boyle commissioned research from the
    Congressional Research Office to assist in the compilation of this Report for the Joint
    Committee for the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. It demonstrated the
    very different figures being portrayed for Northern Ireland’s deficit and the unreliable
    way its income and tax take is calculated.
    Even data such as the numbers who cross the border every day to work and study is
    disputed. The last census results in 2011 stated it was 14,751. However, the joint
    research paper by the Research and Information Service of the Northern Ireland
    Assembly and the Library and Research Service of the Houses of the Oireachtas for
    the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association quoted that “23,000 to 30,000 people
    are cross-border workers”, an estimate which came from the Centre for Cross Border
    Studies. The British Irish Chamber of Commerce has also quoted a figure of 30,000
    a day commuting across the border. The research by the Oireachtas Library and
    Research Service showed that 5,722 people a day travel between Ireland and the UK
    every day.

    “The contributions of the 5 political representatives illustrated how very difficult
    it is for them to agree any economic facts or strategies in Northern Ireland.
    Where everything is disputed or contested, no progress can be made.”
    John Bradley speaking on the theme of ‘Towards an All-Ireland Economy: the
    business opportunities and political obstacles’ at the Irish Association conference at
    Queens University Belfast in 2014.
    46
    An Coiste um Fhorfheidhmiú Committee on the Implementation
    Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta of the Good Friday Agreement
    The Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) produced a working paper prior to
    Brexit in April 2016 entitled ‘The Economic Implications of Brexit for Northern Ireland’.
    Time and again the report refers to the lack of accurate figures and incomplete data
    sets. This is of concern to any policy maker trying to make policy decisions and
    economic plans. Without a full set of the current economic facts it is very problematic to
    arrive at correct decisions, especially when incorrect decisions can come at such a high
    political price.
    1.6.1 Northern Ireland incomplete data
    In April 2016 The Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) produced a working paper
    entitled ‘The Economic Implications of Brexit for Northern Ireland’. The reference to “lack
    of figures”, “patchy figure”, and “in-complete data sets” are of concern as stated earlier.
    Brexit and Northern Ireland Trade - Northern Ireland incomplete data
    The existing dataset for Northern Ireland’s trade is somewhat incomplete. For tradeable
    goods there are reliable statistics from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. The
    figures on service exports are less conclusive. The new Broad Economy Sales and
    Exports Survey (NISRA, 2015) estimates that total exports (goods and services) from
    Northern Ireland in 2014 were £9.7 billion. Of this, 60 per cent is accounted for by
    goods and services in the Manufacturing sector. Overall 56 per cent of goods and
    services exports go to the EU and two thirds of all EU exports are bound for the
    Republic of Ireland. Table 1.1 shows the broad outline of industries by exports and their
    destination; however figures for the EU and the rest of the world are patchy in areas.7
    Northern Ireland incomplete data: services
    “Looking at Service sector exports, the statistics are still quite primitive
    in Northern Ireland. The latest estimates for Northern Ireland indicate
    that total exports of goods and services were in the region of £9.7bn in
    2014. HMRC figures for goods exports in 2014 account for £6bn of this
    figure. This leaves a gap of £3.7bn from the BESES data.”8

    47
    An Coiste um Fhorfheidhmiú Committee on the Implementation
    Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta of the Good Friday Agreement
    The Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) produced a working paper prior to
    Brexit in April 2016 entitled ‘The Economic Implications of Brexit for Northern Ireland’.
    Time and again the report refers to the lack of accurate figures and incomplete data
    sets. This is of concern to any policy maker trying to make policy decisions and
    economic plans. Without a full set of the current economic facts it is very problematic to
    arrive at correct decisions, especially when incorrect decisions can come at such a high
    political price.
    1.6.1 Northern Ireland incomplete data
    In April 2016 The Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) produced a working paper
    entitled ‘The Economic Implications of Brexit for Northern Ireland’. The reference to “lack
    of figures”, “patchy figure”, and “in-complete data sets” are of concern as stated earlier.
    Brexit and Northern Ireland Trade - Northern Ireland incomplete data
    The existing dataset for Northern Ireland’s trade is somewhat incomplete. For tradeable
    goods there are reliable statistics from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. The
    figures on service exports are less conclusive. The new Broad Economy Sales and
    Exports Survey (NISRA, 2015) estimates that total exports (goods and services) from
    Northern Ireland in 2014 were £9.7 billion. Of this, 60 per cent is accounted for by
    goods and services in the Manufacturing sector. Overall 56 per cent of goods and
    services exports go to the EU and two thirds of all EU exports are bound for the
    Republic of Ireland. Table 1.1 shows the broad outline of industries by exports and their
    destination; however figures for the EU and the rest of the world are patchy in areas.7
    Northern Ireland incomplete data: services
    “Looking at Service sector exports, the statistics are still quite primitive
    in Northern Ireland. The latest estimates for Northern Ireland indicate
    that total exports of goods and services were in the region of £9.7bn in
    2014. HMRC figures for goods exports in 2014 account for £6bn of this
    figure. This leaves a gap of £3.7bn from the BESES data.”8

    Economic Research Institute, <https://www.nerinstitute.net/download/pdf/brexit_wp_250416.pdf>
    accessed 9 February 2017, p.5,6. 8 Paul MacFlynn, ‘The Economic Implications of BREXIT for Northern Ireland’ (2016) Nevin
    Economic Research Institute, <https://www.nerinstitute.net/download/pdf/brexit_wp_250416.pdf>
    accessed 9 February 2017, p.12.
    An Coiste um Fhorfheidhmiú Committee on the Implementation
    Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta of the Good Friday Agreement
    Northern Ireland incomplete data: services
    “Previous research has identified that EU membership enhances the
    trade volumes across many sectors but in particular the areas of
    agriculture, textiles, trade services and transport equipment (Nahuis,
    2004). The dearth of data on services exports exposes a key challenge in
    estimating the impact of a BREXIT on the Northern Ireland economy”9
    Northern Ireland incompete data: manufacturing
    “Unfortunately the data at present don’t provide a breakdown of
    manufacturing subsector exports by destination.”10
    Northern Ireland incomplete data: retail
    “Retail jobs are spread across Northern Ireland, with South Belfast
    containing the largest proportion of Northern Ireland Retail sector
    employment. Unfortunately the data at present do not show where
    Retail businesses with large external sales are located within Northern
    Ireland, but Figure 18 gives some idea as to where the impacts of any
    possible disruption to jobs may be felt. Newry & Armagh and
    Fermanagh & South Tyrone Could face a disproportionate hit as they
    are border constituencies.”11
    Northern Ireland incomplete data: tourism
    “Statistics indicate that 9 per cent of overnight visitors were from the
    Republic of Ireland but there are no indications of where the remaining 13
    per cent of tourists originated from.”12

    48
    An Coiste um Fhorfheidhmiú Committee on the Implementation
    Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta of the Good Friday Agreement
    Northern Ireland incomplete data: Brexit and EU Funding in Northern Ireland
    “Much of the debate on BREXIT at the national level in the UK has
    focused on how much the country would lose or gain financially from
    either decision. Once again it is not possible to be definitive on this
    matter. The ambiguity arises in attempting to calculate what Northern
    Ireland’s notional ‘EU contribution’ is and matching that against what it
    actually receives. A further ambiguity arrives in deciding how much the
    UK Treasury will benefit from no longer being a member of the EU
    because most post- BREXIT scenarios posit some form of close
    relationship with the single market, and that relationship is not without
    cost.”13


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  • Registered Users Posts: 11,300 ✭✭✭✭jm08


    murphaph wrote: »
    Why would Fermanagh not require a subsidy that Mayo does?

    Genuine enquiry. Does Mayo need a subsidy? How is this subsidy dispersed? Its not as if there is huge investment required for hospitals or schools.

    Kerry is also mentioned - I always thought Kerry was a well off county with a huge tourism industry.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,300 ✭✭✭✭jm08


    Might be a side point, but isn't the Titanic showing signs of paying back the investment in spades?

    Is it therefore not a monument to the possible?

    The Titanic Centre was developed by Harcourt Developments (came up with 50% of the costs and Northern Ireland Tourist Board came up with the rest). Now the NI tourist board probably got some of the money from the EU and the Ireland Fund.


  • Registered Users Posts: 67,428 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    jm08 wrote: »
    The Titanic Centre was developed by Harcourt Developments (came up with 50% of the costs and Northern Ireland Tourist Board came up with the rest). Now the NI tourist board probably got some of the money from the EU and the Ireland Fund.

    Yes, that I know.

    I am sure Harcourt aren't in it for the lols.

    Interested to know why it should be a 'monument to failure' though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    Might be a side point, but isn't the Titanic showing signs of paying back the investment in spades?

    Is it therefore not a monument to the possible?

    I think you fail to understand the difference between an operator making a profit when they are contracted to run an asset, and an asset investment offering a return on the capital spend.

    The company running the attraction turned a profit, grew their cash pile and paid out a healthy dividend......

    ......to a it's Jersey and Dublin based shareholders. So it's certainly paying off for those investors.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    Yes, that I know.

    I am sure Harcourt aren't in it for the lols.

    Interested to know why it should be a 'monument to failure' though.

    Because the ship never made it........


  • Registered Users Posts: 19,018 ✭✭✭✭murphaph


    I see no reason why Antrim (Belfast and urban area around it) and Derry would not be able to generate as economically viable and contributing hubs.

    Of course areas will require subsidy, but what those levels are even at the moment, is something we don't know.

    The detail is extremely obscure and the figures are disputed. That is not just me saying that, the Irish government agree as well when they looked at the implications of Brexit. Here is the relevant parts of that report:
    We have reliable figures for the south. The demographics and geography of the north aren't sufficiently different to expect significantly better results from the north than from the south, so it's perfectly valid to assume (with the possible exceptions of Derry city and the greater Belfast area) that the 6 counties will require at least the same level of social transfers as the majority of southern counties.

    Even in the south we have under performing cities. Limerick for example performs much worse than Galway or Cork. I personally don't see Derry being a stellar performer and would be extremely surprised if it didn't also require significant social transfers for a generation at least.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,015 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    murphaph wrote: »
    Two wrongs don't make a right.

    You missed the point; the bogeyman put forward is the tax payer taking a major hit for a united Ireland. Simply pointing out we've taken far bigger hits for less worthy causes.
    Jawgap wrote: »
    to put it in context, the €10 billion or so it takes to keep NI from consuming itself amounts to about 45% of the income tax take in the Republic.

    Now realistically any unification government isn't just going to jack taxes and keep pouring money into NI, there's going to have to be a combination of tax hikes, cuts to services and some class of dividend.

    Even if we assume there is going to be a dividend, and even we assume it amounts to a fantastical and unprecedented 33% of what's required, that still leaves a €6.6 billion sized hole in the accounts......if we get another 33% through service cuts, we're left with about €3.3 billion in taxes - or the equivalent of about 16% of the current PAYE tax take.

    You get some extra money through harmonisation - by for example bringing NI's VAT Rate in line with ours.

    As for the idea of the EU funding a chunk of the unification bill......how likely do you think that is as long as we insist on not talking about out CT rates? Would Macron et al not be of a mind to tell us to bump our CT rate to closer what the EU average is then come back and talk about expanded funding from Europe?

    It amounts to guess work based on the current situation. Everything is subject to change. Yes we could have a damaged reputation as regards Apple tax etc. then there's the PR, which may have merit, of the EU backing regarding any Brexit deal.
    This 9 billion will cease. Will it be more or less? I don't know, you don't know. There may even be a grace period with any international financial cartels owed. The U.K. will certainly be still on the hook for a lot, in my view.
    I'm not suggesting it will be little or nothing, before anyone jumps in. Basically there will likely be costs, we don't know what. There will be welfare/health bills to be worked out, we don't know what.


  • Registered Users Posts: 19,018 ✭✭✭✭murphaph


    jm08 wrote: »
    Genuine enquiry. Does Mayo need a subsidy? How is this subsidy dispersed? Its not as if there is huge investment required for hospitals or schools.

    Kerry is also mentioned - I always thought Kerry was a well off county with a huge tourism industry.
    Most Irish counties have more money spent in them by the state than they generate in tax take. Mayo is by no means exceptional.

    The 6 counties would add more such land mass to the country.


  • Registered Users Posts: 67,428 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    Jawgap wrote: »
    I think you fail to understand the difference between an operator making a profit when they are contracted to run an asset, and an asset investment offering a return on the capital spend.

    The company running the attraction turned a profit, grew their cash pile and paid out a healthy dividend......

    ......to a it's Jersey and Dublin based shareholders. So it's certainly paying off for those investors.

    And the local economy?


    I still am at a loss as to how it is a monument to failure.

    And I also think it does not, as an example, explain why the subvention has risen so dramatically along with EU money.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,300 ✭✭✭✭jm08


    murphaph wrote: »
    Which country's courts would have supremacy? (Joint authority doesn't work because of this problem and having 2 governments in charge doesn't change the fundamentals that the NI economy is exceptionally weak).

    There's no getting around it...there would be a generation of hardship for many people as the price of a UI.

    It would be one Gov. for NI. Instead of 1 Sec. of State, there would be 2 who would work together and manage the Province, operating as if its Direct Rule with maybe the ROI Minister coming up with a development strategy for NI as was done for the ROI by Whittaker/Lemass (such as what industries to concentrate on, setting corporate tax rate).

    They could work on further integration of for interest tourism. At the moment there is duplication with Tourism Ireland and NI Tourist Board. One should be able to do it. Similarly with power, waterways, agriculture etc. etc. over a period of 10 to 15 years (with Westminster agreeing the budget).

    As an aside, I was at Bloom last year where NI Food had a Stand/Tent. All I can say is 'Need to do much better than this' and it wasn't in an asses roar of competing with the ROI Tent standards.

    I believe that the Stormont Assembly is just a complete waste of money and its time to take a different approach.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 67,428 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    murphaph wrote: »
    We have reliable figures for the south. The demographics and geography of the north aren't sufficiently different to expect significantly better results from the north than from the south, so it's perfectly valid to assume (with the possible exceptions of Derry city and the greater Belfast area) that the 6 counties will require at least the same level of social transfers as the majority of southern counties.

    Even in the south we have under performing cities. Limerick for example performs much worse than Galway or Cork. I personally don't see Derry being a stellar performer and would be extremely surprised if it didn't also require significant social transfers for a generation at least.

    Yes, we know all of that.
    What we don't know is the extent or amount.
    I will also say it again, NI does contribute to the pot. So it will not be 'us' paying, we will all be paying, just like we are for the present set up in the south.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    And the local economy?


    I still am at a loss as to how it is a monument to failure.

    And I also think it does not, as an example, explain why the subvention has risen so dramatically along with EU money.

    OK, - it commemorates a ship that failed in its prime purpose (to remain afloat).

    I'm sure it does bring additional spending into the local economy - that wasn't my point. The point was the opportunity cost - as the NIAO found in their report - was significant.

    Or to put it in more straightforward terms the
    ......total cost to construct Titanic Belfast was £76.9m (£97m including VAT and in kind contributions from Belfast Harbour Commissioners). Funders included the Northern Ireland Executive (through DETI – £36.95m), Belfast City Council (£10m), Titanic Quarter Ltd (£16.35m) and Belfast Harbour Commissioners (£13.6m).

    .....could have been much better spent.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,015 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    murphaph wrote: »
    Most Irish counties have more money spent in them by the state than they generate in tax take. Mayo is by no means exceptional.

    The 6 counties would add more such land mass to the country.

    So what's the problem? Should we consider jettisoning Mayo? It seems more an issue with bad state management than a case against a united Ireland. The north deserves the same as any other Irish counties. Indisputable after a United Ireland.
    I take it if gold is discovered in the six counties a teary eyed open arms will appear for them?
    It's a case of when will it happen and addressing any financials during the process. Saying, hold on a minute while we consider the tab, is a deplorable view to have imo.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,300 ✭✭✭✭jm08


    Jawgap wrote: »
    I think you fail to understand the difference between an operator making a profit when they are contracted to run an asset, and an asset investment offering a return on the capital spend.

    The company running the attraction turned a profit, grew their cash pile and paid out a healthy dividend......

    ......to a it's Jersey and Dublin based shareholders. So it's certainly paying off for those investors.

    The Titanic Quarter is providing accommodation, shopping centres, office accommodation, pubs, restaurants etc. which provides local employment and attracts visitors to Belfast who spend money there - no different to the Docks Development in Dublin - they are both great additions to both cities.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,300 ✭✭✭✭jm08


    murphaph wrote: »
    Most Irish counties have more money spent in them by the state than they generate in tax take. Mayo is by no means exceptional.

    The 6 counties would add more such land mass to the country.

    Can you be a bit more specific. I can see how Mayo wouldn't generate a lot of tax, but then it doesn't require as much money to be spent on hospitals, transport (luas!), schools, housing etc. as Dublin does.


  • Registered Users Posts: 67,428 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    Jawgap wrote: »
    OK, - it commemorates a ship that failed in its prime purpose (to remain afloat).

    I'm sure it does bring additional spending into the local economy - that wasn't my point. The point was the opportunity cost - as the NIAO found in their report - was significant.

    Or to put it in more straightforward terms the



    .....could have been much better spent.

    Was the NIAO not just simply wrong about it?

    Am I missing something here, is the venture losing money, failing to meet targets, failing to return it's investment?


  • Registered Users Posts: 67,428 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    jm08 wrote: »
    The Titanic Quarter is providing accommodation, shopping centres, office accommodation, pubs, restaurants etc. which provides local employment and attracts visitors to Belfast who spend money there - no different to the Docks Development in Dublin - they are both great additions to both cities.

    It's rejuvenated a whole section of the city, bringing in private money, above and beyond the initial cost.


  • Registered Users Posts: 19,018 ✭✭✭✭murphaph


    Yes, we know all of that.
    What we don't know is the extent or amount.
    I will also say it again, NI does contribute to the pot. So it will not be 'us' paying, we will all be paying, just like we are for the present set up in the south.
    You're right there.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    jm08 wrote: »
    The Titanic Quarter is providing accommodation, shopping centres, office accommodation, pubs, restaurants etc. which provides local employment and attracts visitors to Belfast who spend money there - no different to the Docks Development in Dublin - they are both great additions to both cities.

    Yes, I'm sure it does - but that wasn't the point.

    Investing and getting a return of X is one thing, but it's money foregone if you could have invested the same amount for a greater return.

    By your logic any amount of spending can be justified as long as their is some return - personally, I prefer to see investments made on the basis of a reasonable rate of return, otherwise the payback period is excessive.

    Maybe there are more "fluid" ideas when it comes to an internal rate of return on NI projects - which might go a long way to explaining why the place soaks up so much cash.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,768 ✭✭✭✭tomwaterford


    Jawgap wrote: »
    OK, - it commemorates a ship that failed in its prime purpose (to remain afloat).
    .

    Tbf it's loyalism only claim to history (other than marching)...

    .build a ship,claim.it unsinkable and geos down on its first journey :D


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