Political representatives must redouble efforts to restore Assembly and Executive – Joint statement
The Federation has today, along with
20 other local business representative bodies, signed a statement to the
new Secretary of State, Julian Smith, and the leaders of our main
political parties calling for political representatives to redouble
efforts to restore The Assembly and The Executive.
“Two and a half years on from the
collapse of the Executive, and now approaching the likely conclusion of
the Brexit process, the Northern Ireland business community is deeply
concerned at the continued absence of a functioning administration and
is calling on political representatives to redouble their efforts to
reach agreement to get the Assembly and Executive working again.
“There has seldom been a time when strong and effective leadership
has been more necessary, both to deliver on the domestic agenda and also
to speak up for Northern Ireland in the Brexit process.
“We need a fully functioning administration to agree and deliver a
Programme for Government that will build infrastructure, reform our
health service and education system, ensure we have a strong economy,
and create opportunities for our young people. We also need effective
representation in the Brexit discussions, even at this late stage in the
process, to ensure that the economy is protected through whatever
changes arise and that all necessary mitigations are sought and secured.
“The business community will give encouragement and support to those
politicians who stretch themselves to reach a compromise. Without such a
commitment and associated action from our elected representatives, we
risk irreparable damage to our economy and our society for which future
generations will judge us harshly.”
Signatories:
- Belfast Chamber
- Causeway Chamber of Commerce
- CBI NI
- Centre for Competitiveness
- Construction Employers Federation
- Federation of Small Businesses Northern Ireland
- Freight Transport Association
- Hospitality Ulster
- IoD NI
- Londonderry Chamber of Commerce
- Manufacturing NI
- Mineral Products Association NI
- Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
- NI Grain Trade Association
- NI Hotels Federation
- NI Tourism Alliance
- Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association
- Northern Ireland Retail Consortium
- Retail NI
- Women in Business NI