Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has urged Northern Ireland to learn from the “can do”attitude which prompted so much of our Olympic success and to bring that same attitude to bear in economic terms.
Lord Empey said:
'In the last two weeks we have seen the transformation of attitudes within the UK from a negative outlookto a can do approach.'
'The United Kingdom proved it could deliver a complicated world class event and do so in style despite all the doubters. Northern Ireland was, as usual, punching above its weight.'
'With the tremendous achievement of Rory McIlroy over the weekend we have much of which to be proud. How can we harness some of the spirit and determination of all our sportspeople and translate that into the 'Olympics of the Economy?'
'Recent figures show that Northern Ireland must raise its game especially as we will be moving into an even tougher public spending round in the next few years. Growing and rebalancing our economy is the only show in town if we are going to be able to afford the public services we want and need. Today’s announcement by Ballymena’s Wright bus of a major new order from Singapore is a very welcome boost from one of our leading local companies, but we really must seek out more opportunities.
'The example of the last few weeks should give us food for thought as we must do better if we are to succeed inthe international market place.'
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