Ulster Unionist MP, Danny Kinahan has raised concerns that the voice of Northern Ireland firms are going unheard in the Brexit debate.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee was today taking evidence from Manufacturing NI Chief Executive, Stephen Kelly, Executive Director of Almac Group, Colin Hayburn and President and Managing Director of Almac Pharma services, Graeme McBurney.

The South Antrim MP said:

“Some of the evidence I heard today from representatives of Northern Ireland’s business community was extremely concerning. I asked the Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI, whether he felt that with the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive, they were getting the chance to get their point across to the Brexit Department at Westminster. Worryingly the answer was no.

“The Committee was also told that information was not coming from the Northern Ireland Executive, or departments which are still supposed to be in operation. Representatives of Almac, one of Northern Ireland’s largest employers, said they have resorted to asking the Irish Government for information. It is disgraceful that Northern Ireland companies should have to look to another government for guidance.

“It has always been my concern that Northern Ireland interests were not being fed into those who will be involved in Brexit negotiations. The Northern Ireland Executive remains the only devolved administration not to submit a Brexit plan to the UK Government. The Executive has now collapsed over the RHI scandal and surrendered any chance to influence the UK position.  

“In contrast, the Ulster Unionist Party in September published our document, ‘A Vision for Northern Ireland outside the EU’ which was handed directly to the Prime Minister when we met her in November.

“While we have done our utmost to influence the UK Government, the same cannot be said of the DUP and Sinn Fein. If the final Brexit deal is not a good one for Northern Ireland, they will bear the blame.”

ENDS