2012 Marked As Year Of Progress For NI

2012 will mark a year of progress and change for Northern Ireland; this is according to DUP’s Nigel Dodds.

Opening a debate on changing the perceptions of Northern Ireland, the DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds said the NI2012 campaign would highlight the best parts of the country.

"Northern Ireland has changed hugely over the last number of years. Not only have we moved away from the dark days when terrorism blighted the Province, but that peace has allowed the physical changes we see in buildings and infrastructure," he said.

He added: "Perceptions about Northern Ireland are changing, but they perhaps have not yet caught up with the reality of where Northern Ireland stands today."

Attempts to change perception toward Northern Ireland come as the country has a vast amount of positive events to look forward to in 2012. The events in the province will include the opening of Titanic Belfast, the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relay, the Irish Open at Royal Portrush and the arrival of the clipper Around the World yacht race.

Mr Dodds said: "Tourism will not provide the answer to all Northern Ireland’s economic problems, but its importance should not be underestimated. As we market Northern Ireland to visitors, there is an impact too upon investors considering different locations, often with similar economic cases to put, but different regions and cities have an extra part to play in attracting that investment."

Meanwhile DUP’s William McCrea concluded:"Years of negativity have taken their toll but I genuinely believe people are starting to feel good about being from our wee country once more."

(LB)