Cross-Border Issues in Ireland: Lessons for the Anglo-Scottish Border

Many of the core socio-economic, cultural and political issues which have for long, and continue to, afflict the Irish border region, whether directly attributable to or intensified by the conflict, or those that reflect economic imbalances due to geographical factors, do not respect jurisdictional boundaries. Indeed, the varied obstacles associated with the border or issues which are innately cross-border in nature, cannot be effectively addressed by either jurisdiction in isolation from the other. However, while cooperative action on a cross-border basis, based upon partnership towards the mutual exchange of experiences and the pooling of resources, offers potential for the effective achievement of shared objectives, there are also a number of challenges facing cross-border collaboration. This article endeavors to examine the different forms of cross-border co-operation across the Irish border, while evaluating the successes and failures of the approach institutionalized by the 1998 Good Friday/Belfast Agreement. In particular, and reflecting on Anglo-Scottish experiences, it will argue for the importance of systemic capacity-building for the efficacy of cross-border cooperation. The article concludes by emphasizing the increasingly complex nature of cross-border cooperation across the United Kingdom and Ireland, particularly in the light of the impending withdrawal of the UK from membership of the European Union.