Speech by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor (DBEC) Summit

International Convention Centre, Belfast, 27 February 2027

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Good afternoon to everyone attending the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor Summit in Belfast today.

Is oth liom gan bheidh in ann a bheidh libh inniu. Tá súil agam go raibh maidin torthúil agus cruthaíoch agaibh go dtí seo.

While I cannot be with you in person today, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to shared my perspective on the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor initiative.

But first, if I may, I’d like to say a few words about how relations are between North and South, and about the ‘reset’ in relations between Britain and Ireland.

A few weeks ago, saw the first anniversary of the restoration of the Assembly and the Executive, and I spoke with the First and deputy First Minister at that time to congratulate them on this significant milestone. And I am delighted to learn that this morning the Executive agreed a Programme for Government, the first in more than a decade.

We now have all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement back up and running. If we cast our minds back to the hiatus of the preceding years, there were some very gloomy days, when many doubted we would see their return.

Yet, in the last twelve months, there have been two Plenary meetings of the North South Ministerial Council, as well as thirteen Sectoral meetings. We are now arranging another round of Sectoral meetings between Ministers before the next Plenary session between the two administrations, due to be hosted by the Northern Ireland Executive this spring.

The atmosphere at the last two Plenary meetings was positive and constructive, with substantive engagement on all issues, and I am sure that will continue to be the case.

It is the key driver of cross-border cooperation at a political level, as well as an important forum for enabling dialogue on issues of shared concern.

The Executive is also due to host the next Summit of another Good Friday institution, the British Irish Council, this coming summer.

That will take place in the context of last year’s ‘reset’ in relations between Ireland and the UK, and the upcoming inaugural UK-Ireland annual Summit, to be hosted in Britain in early March.

Last September’s Joint Statement recognised the importance of the two countries as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and our “shared ambition for greater opportunity, economic prosperity and reconciliation across these islands, to include and benefit Northern Ireland”.

The East-West dimension complements the North-South partnership.

The Good Friday Agreement remains our blueprint for how to achieve a better future for all the people of this island, and we are keen to continue mutually beneficial cooperation at every level of government.

The work you are doing together as Councils is a great example of how this model can succeed.

Our new Programme for Government sets out significant new commitments and an ambitious agenda for continuing to build our shared island, backed by a further €1 billion for the Shared Island Fund out to 2035.

I’m sure, or at least I hope it has not escaped the attention of you all gathered in Belfast today that the Programme also includes a commitment to develop the potential of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor.

That potential is abundantly clear:

• in terms of people – 2.2 million, one third of the island’s population; with one third of the workforce educated to third level
• in terms of infrastructure – with good road and improving rail networks; and access to major seaports and international airports
• and in terms of investment potential – already home to world-leading companies and successful indigenous SMEs; and offering a gateway to EU and UK markets

In a number of key areas for innovation-led growth, DBEC Councils are already working with partners in government on developing that potential.

For example, by actively engaging with enterprise agencies North and South on opportunities to develop more support for sectoral clusters across the region.

And in pursuit of its sustainable growth agenda, by further developing a Circular Economy Partnership proposal to support the transition to a green economy, working with Departments North and South.

The All-Island economy is thriving. A recent report shows significant growth in cross-border trade, with combined cross-border trade in goods and services amounting to over €15 billion in 2023.

Reading the Executive’s Programme for Government agreed today, I am struck by how many of what they identify as nine ‘cross-cutting priorities’ for Northern Ireland, are shared priorities across this island, North and South. Health, housing, childcare – these are island-wide issues, and indeed issues we have often discussed with our counterparts in the Executive, including through the various configurations of the NSMC.

But it is the first priority they identify – to ‘Grow a Globally Competitive and Sustainable Economy’ – that is the necessary foundation of so many others.

That priority is consistent with the Corridor’s goal to drive sustainable economic growth and competition throughout the region, and very much consistent with the vision I have for the whole island, indeed it’s one of the core reasons why I established the government’s Shared Island Initiative in 2020.

With more than €500 million already allocated in recent years from the Fund, the transformative impacts of strategic all-island investment and cooperation can already be seen.

We now see long-awaited, iconic cross-border infrastructure projects like the Narrow Water Bridge and the Ulster Canal restoration forging ahead.

We have also commenced ambitious new education, enterprise, tourism and environmental programmes with the Executive.

Importantly, the government is also providing new ways for people and communities across the island to understand each other better, through our various research initiatives, to better connect, and to work together more effectively and productively.

The last few years have shown what is possible. This is only the beginning of what we will achieve.

We have already shown the impact of the new resource commitment in our Programme for Government. Just this week for example, we allocated a further €50 million from the Shared Island Fund to take forward a range of new collaborative programmes that will enhance the island for all.

This includes over €20 million to develop and promote three sustainable tourism destinations across the border region - including at Carlingford Lough in the heart of the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor.

With the landmark Narrow Water Bridge on the way to serve as a lynchpin for new tourism and recreation activity around Carlingford Lough, we are now supporting tourism agencies and local authorities North and South to get ready to fully realise that opportunity.

On Tuesday, the government also announced major new cooperative programmes on arts, culture and heritage; for civil society cooperation; and, for the delivery of nature restoration schemes by communities North and South.

Each of these programmes speak to our belief that in working together we achieve so much more, benefitting communities and regions across this island.

Many of you, again I hope, will already have felt the impact of investments made to date as part of the Shared Island Initiative, working with partners throughout the Corridor.

Last October, the new hourly-frequency Enterprise train service commenced, with a total €25 million annual commitment from the Irish Government.

This effective doubling of the rail service between the two largest cities on the island is now helping to multiply economic, education and social connections throughout the region, and directly contributing to DBEC’s goal of sustainable growth.

I am delighted to see that the introduction of the hourly service has already resulted in a 50% rise in passenger numbers on the Enterprise Service. We are committed to further investment in the service, including the critical ‘4North’ investment programme, which we believe will further improve the speed, frequency and use of the service.

Universities in the DBEC region are participating in the government’s North South Research Programme which has so far provided nearly €40 million for island-wide research partnerships.

Universities are also co-leading the new Centres for Research and Innovation that started last year, supported by Ireland, UK and Northern Ireland research agencies, and by industry, to undertake world-leading work.

The Co-Centres will deliver solutions on major common challenges in the areas of Food Sustainability and on Climate, Biodiversity and Water.

Looking forward, I have no doubt that our Shared Island Initiative will continue to support and engage with DBEC as a dynamic forum.

For instance, I know that an environmentally sustainable future for the Corridor has been a key focus of your discussions today.

Departments North and South are actively scoping a green hydrogen refuelling corridor between Dublin and Belfast - to enhance sustainable transport connectivity along the island’s busiest route for Heavy Duty Vehicles.

DBEC has a broad and ambitious agenda and I’m pleased to be able to confirm to you today that the Government of Ireland which I lead stands ready to contribute to new and agreed projects that deliver on the aims and objectives of the Shared Island Fund. The future of this region is an exciting one, thanks in no small part to the vital work of local authorities and universities, through this forum, through other existing and emerging bilateral partnerships, and beyond.

Our Shared Island Initiative is founded on partnership, to deliver for people throughout the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor region and across the island.

I look forward to strengthening that partnership and to working with you all, individually and collectively as we strive every day to build engagement, understanding, and prosperity for all this shared island that we all call home.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh.