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Brendan Hughes

Brendan Hughes: Northern Ireland business leaders send message to DUP to bring back Stormont

On the House of Commons terrace overlooking the River Thames, the great and the good gathered this week for the launch of a report on Northern Ireland's economy.

Rather than the doom-and-gloom perception of the region some may expect, the Trade NI event was full of positivity for the future.

Its report hailed the "incredible economic success story" of Northern Ireland as it charted how the region has changed in the 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement.

Read more: Analysis: 'Get back to work' is main message from voters in Northern Ireland council election

The Windsor Framework was warmly welcomed, with the deal on Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol described as a "unique proposition" granting dual access to the European Union and UK markets.

The paper said the trading arrangement is expected to propel GDP growth, with a 50% increase forecast in the next decade to £66billion and the creation of 33,000 new jobs.

"It is hoped that the political leaders in Northern Ireland can reach agreement in relation to the Windsor framework and following that, the region can fully capitalise on the unique circumstances that the framework provides businesses in Northern Ireland," it added.

Speakers at the reception on Tuesday afternoon were equally as positive about Northern Ireland's future post-Windsor Framework.

Sir Nigel Knowles, chief executive of the legal services business DWF Group, said Northern Ireland has the potential to become an "economic powerhouse".

He told the reception that the Windsor Framework places the region in a "truly unique position" to do business with the EU.

Listening all the while as the drinks flowed and canapes were served was DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

The event was by no means haranguing towards the party over continuing to block the power-sharing institutions in protest against the protocol.

There was no whooping audience similar to the recent Queen's University Good Friday Agreement conference, nor any of the chastising seen during some US engagements over the St Patrick's period.

But the message from the marquee gathering at Westminster was clear - business wants Stormont back.

It has been obvious for some time now that many in the DUP want this too, especially following last week's council election results.

The party won the battle within unionism, clawing back votes which had drifted last year to the more hardline TUV.

But the DUP's Stormont boycott strategy to outflank the fringes has also served to disillusion many unionist voters - and push more nationalists towards Sinn Féin.

Regardless of their reservations over the protocol, restoring stable devolved government will be seen by many unionists as the only way to reverse the rise of their republican rivals.

The dilemma for Sir Jeffrey continues to be how he manoeuvres the DUP back to Stormont while keeping his party on board and saving face.

Firstly, the expectation is the Government will make some sort of legislative move which the DUP can sell to its supporters as a further concession that secures Northern Ireland's place in the Union.

The party's "seven tests" appear to have quietly vanished.

Secondly, and of growing focus, is the issue of money. Amid Stormont's budget pressures, the parties look set to ask the Treasury for a £1 billion-plus package to accompany any return of devolution.

Chris Heaton-Harris seems reluctant for now, saying he wants the Executive "up and running before we go anywhere near any other questions", but the Secretary of State is familiar with U-turning.

He also said he is waiting for "definitive asks" in terms of legislative assurances called for by the DUP in relation to the Windsor Framework.

Further negotiations will be needed, but all signs of reviving Stormont appear as positive as Northern Ireland business leaders' outlook for the future.

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