economic development

Could co-operatives inspire a better economy?

Paul Gosling on June 4, 2021, 9:05 am | Readers 1130

The Mondragon federation of co-operatives has been the foundation of the economy in Spain’s Basque country for decades. It was founded back in 1956 by a priest – José María Arizmendiarrieta – who believed that the best response to the hostility and neglect of the region by the fascist dictator Franco was to develop co-operatives that relied on mutual self-help and independence. Today there are 96 co-operatives which are members of the federation, employing more than 81,000 people. The federation includes manufacturing businesses, financial institutions, retailers and …

How should we redevelop Belfast City Centre?

Thomas McConaghie on November 4, 2018, 8:01 am | Readers 2360

This question was the focal point of the evening’s conversations at the Dark Horse. Considering a response begs further questioning. Perhaps most fundamentally, who is the city centre for? Answering from observation and evidence, Belfast, it seems, is for consumers. The city was so starved of investment that any development was considered good development. As such, retail and commerce became the de facto form of city regeneration. The limited housing that exists, is being built or has been approved is aimed at students and …

Why is Derry So Poor? Part III – The Solutions

Steve Bradley on March 18, 2018, 7:35 pm | Readers 5701

It is clear that there are economic and social challenges facing Northern Ireland’s second city, and that little is being done to address them. So what type of solutions could be pursued to enable Derry to fulfil its potential as a key economic generator for the north west of the island ? Here are some suggestions : 1. Acknowledge the Problem The first step in dealing with any problem is to acknowledge its existence. Yet there has been no official …

“It was crazy to allege that the Irish government isn’t working for the interests of [northern] businesses.”

Mick Fealty on November 14, 2016, 5:03 pm | Readers 1523

This is worth noting. It relates to Arlene’s accusation aimed at the Republic accusing them of poaching FDI opportunities away from NI. In reply to a written question from Cavan Monaghan TD Brendan Smyth, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor noted (scroll down to Question 506) this last week: Both agencies under the aegis of my Department, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and IDA Ireland, engage with relevant bodies in Northern Ireland to pursue areas of mutual advantage. Developing all-island initiatives …

JTI ‘consultation’ and the economic folly of NI’s politics of ‘separate development’…

Mick Fealty on October 14, 2014, 6:47 am | Readers 1056

If Gallahers leaves Ballymena it will mark the end of one of Northern Ireland’s long term industrial successes. Originally founded in Derry in 1857 by Tom Gallaher, the Gallaher group built itself up into a world wide concern by the end of the 19th Century. Ian Paisley Junior was very quick to pin the blame on Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson for voting through anti smoking regulations in the EP, even though a quick look at the figures (514 in favour to 66 against, with …