FSB NI Policy Chair, Tina McKenzie, has welcomed the agreement published last night by the Secretary of State, Julian Smith and the Tánaiste Simon Coveney, and urged parties to reach agreement so we can begin to address the many issues affecting our economy and society.
Commenting, Tina McKenzie said:
“Businesses will welcome the agreement published last night as a step forward towards restoring devolved government, something for which FSB has been calling since the collapse of the institutions three years ago.
“The draft agreement contains some positive commitments to bolster the local economy, on issues like skills, infrastructure and Brexit. However, the return of devolution is by no means a panacea; it just means that at long last we have elected representatives in place to tackle a very difficult task.
“The next Executive must move quickly to deliver on the myriad issues which have been left unaddressed for far too long. While the health service will be high on the agenda, we must not lose sight of the need to bolster our SME economy, which is the absolute bedrock on which the first-class public services to which we all aspire are built.
“The next Executive must move swiftly to support our economy at one of the most turbulent times for many decades, starting by lowering the rates burden on small businesses, whilst also moving forward rapidly with key infrastructure projects which have stalled; and ensuring that our schools, colleges, and universities are providing students with the skills they need for the jobs of the future.
“In order to begin to address these issues, the parties must put pragmatism first and get back round the Executive table.”
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