Leading trade unionists from across the island gathered in Newry earlier this month for the latest in a series of Ireland’s Future engagement events.

Ireland’s Future was established to advocate for, and promote, debate and discussion about Ireland’s future, including the possibility and viability of new constitutional arrangements on the island.

The civic group is consulting widely with a variety of sectors at the beginning of what it regards as a “crucial five-year period” in the debate around constitutional change.

Fórsa national secretary and Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) vice-president Katie Morgan was one of the contributors to the landmark event and was joined by other leading trade union officials from across the island, including ICTU assistant general secretary Gerry Murphy, SIPTU deputy general secretary Greg Ennis, Unison regional general secretary Patricia McKeown and INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha.  

New research from the ESRI was presented at the forum, which underscored the widening disparities in economic, social, and health outcomes between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Considering living standards, the data indicates that workers in the Republic of Ireland earn 30–40% more than their Northern Irish counterparts, translating to a 12% higher disposable income for citizens in the South. 

The risk of poverty is also 30% lower in the Republic, highlighting stark differences in economic well-being. Experts attribute this gap to diverging economic policies and the fallout from Brexit, which has disproportionately impacted Northern Ireland.

Healthcare outcomes paint a stark picture of inequality. Northern Ireland's NHS faces severe challenges, with 26.3% of the population on waiting lists—more than double the Republic’s figures. Northern Ireland’s hospital waiting lists are four times higher for patients waiting over a year, and infant mortality rates remain notably worse, reflecting systemic pressures on the healthcare system.

Reflecting on the research, Katie highlighted the significant disparities in living standards, education, healthcare, and productivity between the North and the South, underscoring growing inequality.

“These new findings reflect broader challenges for the North, including low investment in education, fragmented economic policy, and the lingering impacts of partition. These issues underline the need to address inequalities, and the future of the country should align with ICTU’s vision of a safe and secure future for all, as outlined in the No Going Back paper,” she said. 

The data further highlights a growing gap in the quality of life between the two regions.

“This analysis highlights the growing importance of North-South comparative research. The disparities between North and South are widening, with systemic challenges in education and healthcare. It’s clear that this must be addressed as part of any future framework,” she said. 

The ESRI’S summary of North-South comparative research report can be viewed here.

ICTU’s No Going Back: A New Deal for a Safe and Secure Future for All report can be viewed in full here.

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