Live from the New York Stock Exchange, it's Northern Ireland's own Chuckle Brothers.
Not that any American news outlet would call them that, although Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness have certainly earned that appellation. The newly minted First and Deputy Ministers of the freshly seated Stormont Executive are touring America, bringing their comedy routine....it's not funny, actually, it's dead serious, but they do smile a great deal.
The economy in the north of Ireland is dependent on hand-outs from London, while the economy in the south of Ireland is thriving. How to get a bit of that gilt for Belfast? The man who called the Pope the Anti-Christ and a former IRA volunteer are making the rounds together, putting up a united front. The war's over, can't you see, so come to Northern Ireland and build a factory or open a call center.
No more bombs or bullets. Ignore the loyalist thugs, if you please, and when you come visit Northern Ireland, Mayor Bloomberg, could you schedule your trip to avoid marching season? Other than that, the Protestants and the Catholics are getting along, as witnessed by the camaraderie of the Chuckle Brothers.
The ongoing problem for the ministers, as they try to sell their six counties to the investment world, is one that they cannot yet control. Corporate taxes in the Republic of Ireland are far lower than the rate set by the British Exchequer, and it is very difficult to compete against your neighbor when businesses insist on looking at the bottom line. Stormont tried to convince their overlords to lower taxes, but were denied, putting them at a disadvantage.
Lots of willing workers who speak English (after a fashion), land for construction, and a home-rule government that is playing nice -- that is today's Northern Ireland, presented in a pretty package by two men who were at one another's throats a few years ago.
If they can't attract some foreign investment and get Northern Ireland moving forward, they may well be at one another's throats again.
No comments:
Post a Comment