| Office of the Speaker |
Sub-group to Consider Economic Challenges Facing Northern Ireland in penultimate evidence session The sub-group met again today in Parliament Buildings, Stormont and has now taken evidence from some sixteen organisations and individuals in two weeks. In another session lasting over three hours, the sub-group heard evidence from Moy Park, the Ulster Farmers Union, the Wright Group and senior officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP). The initial presentations were followed by extensive question and answer sessions. Eric Reid, the Production Director of Moy Park highlighted particular shortages in the engineering and technical professions. He spoke of the need for a pool of potential employees equipped with at least essential skills and told members of Moy Park’s own Essential Skills programme. Members also learned of the co-operation between several agricultural industries, which had resulted in Northern Ireland having one of the healthiest poultry flocks in the world. Mr. Reid highlighted the challenge posed by the global market and the need to develop a strategy for agriculture that equips the industry to compete effectively in the global market. Clarke Black, Chief Executive and their President, Kenneth Sharkey represented the Ulster Farmers’ Union. The UFU delegation said that it was necessary to explode the myth of agriculture and the agri-food sector as a sunset industry. Competitiveness and innovation were currently stifled by regulation and the sector had the potential to contribute to future agendas such as climate change and renewable energy. UFU support the provision of ongoing financial support from Europe rather than on an entirely free market approach. Clarke Black noted that a focus on research and development was the way forward for the industry. One of the key issues raised by William Wright, Chairman if the Wright Group, was whether Northern Ireland’s education system had failed industry and commerce and whether the new education proposals would make any difference. Regarding a proposed economic package, or peace dividend, DFP’s Permanent Secretary Bruce Robinson said that such a package would need to address the drivers of productivity outlined in the Economic Vision – enterprise, innovation, skills and infrastructure and also contribute to rebalancing the local economy. Mr. Robinson noted that Northern Ireland currently operates within a unified UL fiscal regime and that the sub-group would need to examine the relative merits of the options that might be available to improve fiscal incentives. The sub-group will meet again in Parliament Buildings on 10 August at 10.00am when, in its final series of scheduled sessions, members will hear the views of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, the Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland and NICVA. 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 is chaired on a rotational basis by nominees from each of the parties represented on the Preparation for Government Committee. 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 |