ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the challenges that lie ahead the policy compass should be fixed on developing a stronger all-Ireland economy. It reviews assessments of the impact of Brexit on the Northern Ireland economy. The chapter explains why maintaining an open border in Ireland came close to scuppering the entire Brexit project. It assesses the nature of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol that was concluded as part of the United Kingdom (UK) Withdrawal Agreement to maintain an open, frictionless border in Ireland. The chapter develops the argument that the Protocol has the potential to generate either regulatory competition or cooperation or possibly both between the two parts of the Ireland. The impact of Brexit on the Northern Ireland labour market was also assessed. A feature of the labour market in the region over the last two decades has been the growing use of migrant labour in many parts of the economy.
