For decades trade between the Republic and Northern Ireland was modest, to put it mildly. Both jurisdictions tended to ship eastwards to Britain - rather than head north or south.  But then the UK decided to quit the single market but left NI in it with unfettered access to the EU.  It’s led to a surge in trade - reaching an all-time high of €12bn last year.

But this might only be the start - as Northern Ireland takes increasing advantage of the fact that it is in both large open markets.   This will be discussed at a big conference on Wednesday in Dublin run by InterTradeIreland and Colin McCabrey the Director of Trade with InterTradeIreland joined Joe ahead of the conference.