| Office of the Speaker |
Sub-group to Consider Economic Challenges Facing Northern Ireland continues to take evidence The sub-group had its fifth meeting today in Parliament Buildings, Stormont. The sub-group heard evidence from the Industrial Taskforce; the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NICICTU) and senior officials from the Departments of Education and Employment and Learning respectively. The initial presentations were followed by extensive question and answer sessions. In his presentation, Sir George Quigley, Chair of the Industrial Taskforce suggested that Northern Ireland’s economic structure was not fit for purpose and highlighted the worrying negative trend in labour productivity. He argued that the structure of the Northern Ireland economy has been changing, but in the opposite direction to the creation of the high value added economy envisaged by Government. Sir George said that Northern Ireland needed a massive increase in the size of its export base to close the ‘wealth’ gap with the rest of the UK and needed a much stronger flow of inward investment - which would not happen without a competitive corporation tax rate. In their presentation, NICICTU made the case for a range of interventions including a rebalance of the economy between public and private sector activity; improvements in public sector efficiency and effectiveness and an urgent need for a sustainable energy strategy. The NICICTU delegation said that from an economic and social perspective the problems facing the Northern Ireland economy would be best addressed by a NI Assembly and will not be resolved by direct rule. NICICTU would favour a system of grant aid based on agreed criteria as an incentive to business rather than on an untargeted reduction in corporation tax. Members discussed with officials from the Department of Education the major role that schools need to play in providing the skills, which were key to the future of the economy. Discussions focussed on the performance of the schools system, literacy and numeracy skills and the curriculum. DEL officials highlighted the Department’s responsibilities for promoting learning and skills, preparing people for work and supporting the economy. Members were made aware of a number of strategies put in place under the umbrella of the Skills Strategy including FE Means Business and Pathways to Work. Aideen McGinley said that DEL was providing joined-up leadership across departments to drive forward improvements and to counter the ad-hoc approach that had been an impediment in the past. The sub-group will meet again in Parliament Buildings on 8 August at 10.00am. Evidence sessions are open to the public. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Under the terms of the Northern Ireland Act 2006, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Peter Hain MP, wrote to the Deputy Speakers of the Assembly on 11 July 2006 to direct the Preparation for Government Committee to establish a sub-group to consider the economic challenges facing Northern Ireland. The Preparation for Government Committee subsequently met on 17 July 2006 and agreed to establish a sub-group. The sub-group consists of two representatives from each of the parties represented on the Preparation for Government Committee. One of each of the two party representatives on the Sub-group shall be a member of the Preparation for Government Committee. The sub-group will be chaired by either of the two independent chairs of the Preparation for Government Committee – Mr Francie Molloy, MLA and Mr Jim Wells, MLA. Those attending today were: Michelle Gildernew MP The Terms of Reference agreed for the sub-group is as follows:
Information about the work of the Sub-group can be obtained from the Principal Clerk to the sub-group: Telephone: 028 9052 1785
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