The power of one

The notion of a united Ireland has proven controversial politically, but economic convergence is increasingly likely. Interest in the north from Dublin’s top law firms has been rekindled largely due to the prospect of lucrative cross-border projects. Most leading players in Dublin’s legal market feel it would be foolish to ignore the growing prosperity on their doorsteps.

Confidence in Northern Ireland has grown since the power-sharing agreement earlier this year and is paying significant dividends, both social and economic. Now, business from the south and elsewhere is being lured by an English-speaking, highly educated workforce and the promise of significant investment from both private and public sectors. Sound familiar? Some are touting the province as the next ‘Celtic Tiger’ – or in any case, a larger animal than at present.

‘Players are looking for property and business opportunities in Belfast – for example, there are signs for P. Elliott [a major building company in the Republic] plastered on hoardings on a major city centre building site,’ says A&L Goodbody’s leading PPP partner, Kevin Feeney. Add to the host of contractors busy transforming Belfast’s dockside, the entrance of financial heavyweights such as Citigroup, HBOS and Allstate Corporation, and you have something of a honeypot attracting significant interest. ‘Citi moving part of its legal function over here is the first time we have ever had anything on this scale,’ says David Jamison of Belfast firm Carson McDowell.

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