PRESS RELEASE

18 January 2007

PN 23/06

ASSEMBLY SUB-GROUP QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT ON ECONOMY

The Transitional Assembly’s Economic Issues Sub-Group today questioned Minister David Hanson, MP and Departmental officials on the Government’s response to three reports on the economic challenges facing Northern Ireland. The reports were published by the Preparation for Government Committee from September to December last year.

The sub-group Chairperson, Mr Thomas O’Reilly, MLA said: “The sub-group welcomes the fact that the Government responded in detail to the proposals and in particular the Minister’s assurance that the Chancellor and the Prime Minister remained open to considering the case for tax reforms, including a differential rate of corporation tax. The sub-group also welcomes the Minister’s undertaking to meet to discuss the various difficulties involved in tax reform. It is, however, dismayed and concerned that the Government responses do little more than rehearse existing government policy and defer consideration of many proposed investment projects to the Comprehensive Spending Review process. This completely fails to recognise Northern Ireland’s unfavourable economic position compared to Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland and the failure of current policies to change this.”

Mr O’Reilly added: “The sub-group considers that Government needs to give more serious consideration to the comprehensive range of recommendations, which were agreed unanimously by the previous sub-group and the Preparation for Government Committee, and to recognise the political consensus on the need for a future devolved administration to be provided with an economic package as a sound basis from which to tackle the economic challenges ahead.”

The Economic Issues sub-group will report on its scrutiny of the Government’s position to the Programme for Government Committee.

Note to Editor:

For further information on the Economic Issues sub-group contact the Assembly Information Office Room B2, Parliament Buildings 9052 1137 or visit the Assembly website:

http://archive.niassembly.gov.uk/transitional/economic/economy_homepage.htm

Membership of the sub-group on Economic Issues

The nominated members of the subgroup are: Thomas O’Reilly, Chairperson (SF) George Dawson (DUP), Michelle Gildernew MP (SF), Dr. Alasdair McDonnell MP (SDLP), Mitchel McLaughlin (SF), David McNarry (UUP), Peter Robinson MP (DUP).

The following members and substitutes attended the meeting on 18 January:
Thomas Burns (SDLP), George Dawson (DUP), Michelle Gildernew MP (SF), Mitchel McLaughlin (SF), David McNarry (UUP).