NI Civil Service boss addresses banking conference

The Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Gerry Loughran has told the Irish Bank Officials Association’s Conference that the new institutions created by the devolved power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland have “revolutionised the political landscape.”

Addressing the conference on Wednesday, October 24, Mr Loughran said: “The Assembly is now a fully functioning legislature with energetic committees which carry out their roles of scrutinising administration and policy development with great commitment.

“The Executive has successfully completed preparations for a second Programme for Government and has also presented a second draft Budget to the Assembly for approval.

“The North/South implementation bodies are also fully operational. There are some 600 hundred jobs in these bodies, located as far apart as Cork and Coleraine.

He added: “East/West interaction is at a less developed stage but important matters of mutual concern to the wider islands communities are being addressed – for example drugs, transport, the environment and e-commerce.”

Mr Loughran concluded his speech saying: “The Civil Service has relished the challenge of working for local politicians and creating a new politics. We dearly want this to continue, and for the democratic institutions to fully develop.” (AMcE)