Ulster Unionist Economy Spokesperson, Steve Aiken MLA, has called for the Assembly’s economy committee to meet to monitor the Department’s response to Brexit, during the summer recess.
Steve Aiken MLA said:
“As the Deputy Chair of the Committee for the Economy I have written to the Chair, Conor Murphy MLA, and formally asked him to convene the committee during recess to discuss the emerging economic implications of Brexit on Northern Ireland, in light of the tardy response of the Executive to the particular challenges we face here.
“I believe it is appropriate that the Committee for the Economy meets to monitor and report on events during the recess. I also believe we should call on the Department- senior officials and the Minister- to brief us on progress later this month and in August.
“Things are moving extremely quickly at the moment with Chancellor George Osborne’s plan to slash Corporation Tax to less than 15% contrasting with the dithering and uncertainly of the Stormont Executive on this key element of attracting foreign direct investment.
“Therefore, I simply do not think it is good enough to effectively shut up shop at Stormont for the two months of the Summer Recess, and pick things up when the Assembly reconvenes in early September.”