Minister welcomes views on the Programme for Government

Mr Denis Haughey, Minister in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, has praised representatives from social partnership group Concordia for making their views known on the draft Programme for Government and the draft Budget.

The draft Programme for Government for 2002/2003 sets out the Executive’s assessment of the challenges to be faced and what must be done to achieve the vision of a peaceful, inclusive, prosperous, stable and fair society.

Speaking at a seminar organised in conjunction with Concordia, who represent the Confederation of British Industry, Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, The Ulster Farmers Union, Northern Ireland Congress and Irish Congress of Trade Unions, at the Fitzwilliam International Hotel, Antrim, Mr Haughey thanked Concordia’s representatives for taking the time to make their views known on the Draft Programme and Draft Budget.

Speaking at the last of a series of four seminars held over the last few weeks as part of the Executive’s consultation exercise, Mr Haughey said: “We are very encouraged by the quality of debate on the key challenges which face the Executive over the coming year. The engagement will allow Ministers to get a fuller sense of the real issues that impact on people from industry, farming, the trade unions and voluntary backgrounds. It is important that we hear first hand about real issues which affect people’s lives. We then have to use this information to influence the Executive's priorities and how we allocate resources.

Mr Haughey said that a locally accountable Executive had to be flexible enough to be able to adopt policies and reallocate resources to where they would have the greatest impact. He added: “Face to face discussions assist us, as Ministers, in policies and plans which can hopefully help us address the challenges.”

The Minister reminded attendees that the consultation process ends on November 20, 2001 and he encouraged people to make their views known: “Everyone needs to have an opportunity to be heard and this event is about giving an opportunity to key stakeholders within our society to make a real contribution to shaping our future.” (SP)