‘Government must recognise EU importance to business in NI’ – Ritchie

SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has used the first question time to the newly created Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to question how the Government’s industrial strategy will accommodate Northern Ireland’s particular reliance on EU support and access to the Common Market.

She said, “It is ironic that the British Government should reintroduce a Department for industrial strategy while simultaneously tearing up a key basis for sustainable industry in Northern Ireland.

“Support from the EU and access to the Common Market have been essential in growing business in Northern Ireland, particularly in rural areas, and must be retained if the North is to continue on the path of economic renewal.

“Northern Ireland’s particular reliance on European funding programmes and export potential is not simply a political talking point – it is a reality that underpins thousands of jobs and livelihoods.

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Ritchie added, “Special arrangements for Northern Ireland are essential for a sustainable and growing economy, and the Government should recognise this as a matter of urgency. Failure to do so will only cause delayed investment and threaten economic growth in Northern Ireland.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Sep 21 2016. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry