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Executive must meet to save economy
DUP minister urges an end to stalemate
Monday, 10 November 2008
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster is today urging the Northern Ireland Executive to meet in order to advance plans to help the local economy through recession.
Writing for the Belfast Telegraph, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said the private sector was looking to the Executive — which has now not met for 144 days — for clear leadership and support in the current downturn.
“As Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister I am disappointed that there has been no meeting of the Executive in this difficult economic climate,” she said.
Her comments come on the same day a survey reports that industrial activity in Northern Ireland fell during October for the 11th straight month.
“While individual Ministers can work in their own Departments, I need a meeting of the Executive to advance my objectives,” she said.
These include initiatives to help companies improve their exports and research and development performance, invest in skilled labour, and to strengthen Northern Ireland’s telecommunications network and renewable energy capacity.
Twelve days ago Ulster business leaders had a letter published in the Belfast Telegraph, urging the Executive to provide ‘strong leadership’ in the current crisis.
In her article today, Mrs Foster said much good work has been done by the devolved government to help grow the local economy.
“However, this good work is being undermined by the non-functioning image which is being portrayed of the Executive,” she said. “In such a time as this, the Executive must prove itself that it is able to steer the province through this tough climate.”
The Minister also said that Northern Ireland is unlikely to be insulated by from a global recession as the province relies on external trade.
She noted that unemployment here remains below the UK, and Northern Ireland’s public sector, she added, would provide a stabilising influence.
“While the private sector is in recession territory, we must not exaggerate or wallow in our condition. Indeed, some people are so attached to negative headlines that they seem to avoid communicating positive economic news. Such an irresponsible approach undermines business and confidence,” the Minister said.
Mrs Foster added that the political and economic debate now needs focus on how business competitiveness can be developed.
“One economic certainty is that for every downturn, the economy will enter an upturn. We need to ensure that local companies are best placed to take advantage of the upturn,” she said.
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I have just become unemployed and i am about to get income support of £45 a week my gas costs £25 and my electric costs £25 a week how are people like me going to cope while the executive go off on holiday again they are very quick to give themselves a pay rise as soon as they got in of 30% and now again they are out in a huff ,they are more out than in and its about tme they were sacked no other employer would put up with it i would ask all readers to remember this when it comes to election time again and do what they do when they arent happy dont show stay at home and dont bother to vote ,these morons are making a fool of us and im ashamed to be from Belfast as soon as i can im emigtating this place is awfull its cold and dark even the sun doesnt shine in the summer it was a washout it costs a fortune to live here and the people keep voting for lazy politicians who dont even show no wonder firms dont come here you would have to be mad to live in Blfast.
Posted by ashamed | 10.11.08, 19:01 GMT
How does one go about getting rid of the circus at Stormount? It is obscene that this shower of clowns is fleecing the local taxpayers. Letsa have another electionand if the electorate re-elect these idiots it has only itself to blame.
Posted by windy | 10.11.08, 16:27 GMT
I am a very concerned business owner in Lurgan and I cannot believe that the current financial climate has not forced an emergency meeting in Stormont to tackle these pressing issues . How many more jobs must be lost , companies close and ordinary people go through this financial strife . We have elected people to office to act in our best interests and I dont care if you are SDLP, DUP,SINN FEIN Or UUP , we have put you there to make decisions on our behalf and people are suffering because of you petty arguments . Could we not put the issues of policing , Flags , justice and even water rates, on the back burner and deal with the biggest financial challenge of our lifetime .
Our country is crumbling and we need our executive to try and do something , ANYTHING ! not in six months or a year , we need it now .
Anthony Molloy
Posted by Anthony Molloy | 10.11.08, 10:59 GMT
its all well her saying that, but does she think our ministers actually care about the hard working tax payers of northern ireland? until now they have proved to me that they dont care and they are collecting their fat pay packets while laughing! they take so many holidays - it really does make me feel angry at myself for voting for these people in the first place, if there is ever another election, i will not let them brainwash me again into thinking they can make a difference to my life!
Posted by fed up | 10.11.08, 08:48 GMT