28/02/2012
Ongoing Inaction On Aggregates Levy Disastrous For Construction Industry - SDLP
SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has said that a seeming inertia in the European Commission with regard to the suspension of the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme in Northern Ireland is threatening the local construction industry.
Ms Ritchie said: "The suspension of the scheme was ordered by the European Commission on the grounds of the North being at an unfair advantage to Britain without recognising NI's unique position of being in close competitive proximity to the Republic.
"I have continued to raise this issue at all levels of regional, UK-wide and European government, including Finance Minister Sammy Wilson, representatives in Brussels and the then Economic Secretary to the British Treasury, Justine Greening, but while I am confident of support locally, I am appalled by how casually the EC are dragging their heels in addressing our concerns.
"If we go forward without this exemption being reinstated, it will not redress any supposed imbalance, but instead perpetuate an ongoing injustice to the construction industry in the North, which has to jostle for position with comparable industries in the Republic."
(CD/GK)
Ms Ritchie said: "The suspension of the scheme was ordered by the European Commission on the grounds of the North being at an unfair advantage to Britain without recognising NI's unique position of being in close competitive proximity to the Republic.
"I have continued to raise this issue at all levels of regional, UK-wide and European government, including Finance Minister Sammy Wilson, representatives in Brussels and the then Economic Secretary to the British Treasury, Justine Greening, but while I am confident of support locally, I am appalled by how casually the EC are dragging their heels in addressing our concerns.
"If we go forward without this exemption being reinstated, it will not redress any supposed imbalance, but instead perpetuate an ongoing injustice to the construction industry in the North, which has to jostle for position with comparable industries in the Republic."
(CD/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mild and breezy Christmas Day. Also rather cloudy but mainly dry with a few bright or sunny spells developing, more especially over parts of Antrim and County Down. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy, mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.