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CBI welcomes reform of Executive Departments

CBI responds to the First Minister’s statement on the reform of Executive Departments in Northern Ireland.

Responding to the First Minister’s statement on the reform of Executive Departments in Northern Ireland, CBI Northern Ireland Director, Nigel Smyth, said yesterday:

“Along with the other key Executive agreed outcomes from the Stormont House Agreement, today’s statement by the First Minister will meet with strong support in the business community.

“An Executive which is more streamlined and has, at its core, a greater strategic focus is something that we have long called for. Much of what we read in today’s statement meets that need and it is to the Executive’s credit that they have delivered the reforms that have been required.

“With devolved Corporation Tax varying powers almost within our grasp, we need to take the critically important steps to align our education, skills and infrastructure needs to those of both indigenous and potential foreign investors. The creation, and powers, of the new Economy and Infrastructure departments, along with a revised Education department and a strategically focused Executive Office, will go a long way to seeing this alignment take place – this is critical if we are to deliver the jobs and prosperity that are needed to transform the Northern Ireland economy. 

“In particular regard to the new Infrastructure department, we, through the publication of a major infrastructure report in October 2013, detailed how other jurisdictions, notably Scotland, have benefited from having the focal point of an Infrastructure Minister. That we too are to have this new strategic overview to our infrastructure plans and delivery pipeline is therefore most welcome.

“We very much look forward to studying the Departments Bill that will be introduced into the Assembly after Easter recess and seeing the proposed changes deliver more strategic, economically aligned and less silo-driven government after next year’s Assembly election”

Notes to Editors:

Across the UK, the CBI speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors which together employ nearly 7 million people, about one third of the private sector-employed workforce. With offices in the UK as well as representation in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi, the CBI communicates the UK business voice around the world.

Media Contact:

Anthea Savage, Communications & Events Executive, CBI Northern Ireland. 
Office: 028 9010 1100
DL: 028 9010 1117; E: ANTHEA.SAVAGE@CBI.ORG.UK
www.cbi.org.uk/ni 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBI_NI

 

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