Finance Minister praises devolution success

The progress report on Northern Ireland under devolution shows achievement and promise, but indicates that there is still much to be done.

This was the message delivered today by the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Dr Seán Farren.

Addressing the annual Northern Ireland Economic Conference held at the Galgorm House Hotel outside Ballymena, Mr Farren said it was an opportunity to present a profile of devolution successes and he expressed regret at the instability generated by current political difficulties.

Dr Farren added: “In the normal course of things I would want to offer something of a progress report of devolution in action with an optimistic look ahead to working together for our common good.

“I firmly believe that whatever form our problems take in the next few days it is vital that the progress made across a range of areas is not simply put to one side. We must find a way of maintaining, or at least preserving, the advancements from which we all have benefited."

Adding that Northern Ireland had weathered the economic storm of the past 12 months comparatively well, the Minister said: “Employment is at an all-time high reflecting 10% more jobs than five years ago. Unemployment meanwhile has fallen to its lowest level for 30 years with a rate that is two percentage points below the EU average.”

While these figures are good, the Minister pointed to areas of the local economy where the picture is less encouraging. Among these, he said, are manufacturing industry which is under pressure from the global downturn and special conditions experienced in sectors such as aerospace, shipbuilding, and telecoms. While important locally, Northern Ireland was, he said, "a very small boat on a very large and unpredictable sea".

Devolution has been a liberating and educational experience for the fledgling Executive and Assembly. At times the results of investigations across Departments have made uncomfortable reading, but the Minister felt confident that the devolved administration has shown considerable acumen.

He also said that the Executive was committed to continuous improvement as illustrated in the main theme, one of reform, in the draft Budget. This, he said, would place demands upon Departments in their quest for funding.

Dr Farren concluded by reflecting on the business covered during the morning’s sectoral meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council at Ballycastle, a meeting in which he had participated.

He concluded: "We covered a range of issues which will speed up the effective delivery of PEACE II and other important European programmes. In other words we were doing routine work which will have a visible impact on the ground for all our people.

“If it does prove to be the last such meeting in the short term, I emphasise again that the dynamic of such working arrangements should not be lost.”

(MB)