The chairman of the |Stormont committee that oversees Government economic policy expects to see “constructive criticism” rather than a “demolition” in the review of economic |development policy. SDLP Assemblyman Alban Maginness said the report, due for publication tomorrow, was a “crucial piece of work”.

He added: “It is a very timely review, given our present difficult economic circumstances.

“I would anticipate that the report will be a forthright and robust analysis of Invest NI. That's what it should be. We don't want a demolition job but we do want constructive criticism, where criticism is necessary.”

Mr Maginness, who chairs the cross-party Assembly Enterprise, Trade and Investment committee, continued: “Having met with the chief |executive of Invest NI Alastair Hamilton, I know that he is a man up to the job and willing to embrace changes, no matter how radical they may be to Invest NI.”