Durkan tells Wall Street peace process is good for business

The Deputy First Minister and SDLP leader Mark Durkan has told a business delegation in America the peace process is paying handsome dividends for the local economy.

Speaking to an audience of businessmen and investors in Wall Street, New York, Mr Durkan said Northern Ireland was now "starting to see the fruits of years of work."

Speaking on Tuesday, February 5, Mr Durkan said the benefits of devolved government alongside the development of all Ireland integrated economy with Europe had changed the economic landscape dramatically.

"We are working to develop our economy, to maximise its potential. We are now at the stage where all the main elements of the Good Friday Agreement are operating satisfactorily. It is a time of new economic opportunity for us and for you.

"We are a greatly improved region for business. Our own ministers are working hard to revitalise our economy and are responsive to the needs of investors."

Mr Durkan pointed out that North/south institutions created by the Good Friday Agreement like Inter-Trade Ireland and Tourism Ireland had created a single all-island focus which would harness tourism and business driven markets for the benefit of all.

The Minister said: "It is this down to earth, matter of fact work that is quietly transforming our economic landscape. For too long, Ireland was associated with poverty, division and distress.

"All of this would have been thought impossible just a short time ago. Yet all of this is happening – steadily, without controversy and with the agreement and support of nationalists and unionists alike." (AMcE)