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22/11/2010
Agree NI Budget Now, Says Paterson
Members of Chambers of Commerce and other NI business leaders have told Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, that it is time a budget based on the UK spending review settlement is agreed quickly by the Stormont Executive - and Mr Paterson is in full agreement.
The high level call came just days before the Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he has "considerable confidence" that the Stormont parties will be able to agree a budget.
Appearing on the recent BBC's Politics Show, Mr McGuinness argued "people should not be concerned about a lapse of a few days, or even a week or two".
"The objective is to put a budget in place and to be quite honest, I have considerable confidence, given the discussions I've been involved in, that we will be able to do that," he said.
However, time is running out, according to the NIO boss who has highlighted the economy at Chamber of Commerce meetings in Portrush, Newry and Londonderry and also gave the keynote address at the Enterprise NI Tenth Anniversary Conference at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.
Mr Paterson said: "There is a very clear message coming from the private sector in Northern Ireland. It is that we all need to work together to rebalance the economy starting from now.
"The Government will play its part with the Treasury paper on the economy due in the coming weeks.
"It will look at possible ways of turning Northern Ireland into an enterprise zone and potential mechanisms for giving the Executive the power to vary corporation tax.
"The great strength of devolution is that local decisions are taken by locally accountable ministers. So I hope that a budget based on the spending review settlement can be made quickly as has already been done in Scotland and Wales," he said.
On other matters, Mr Paterson also reiterated the UK Government's willingness to assist the Irish Government if asked.
"Every business man and woman in Northern Ireland knows how important it is to have a strong and stable Irish economy and a sound banking sector.
"The UK as a whole exports more to Ireland than to China, India, Brazil and Russia combined.
"As the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have emphasised, it would be wrong to speculate about the financial health of another country in the European Union.
"But it is massively in the UK's interest to help Ireland through any difficulties it may face and I reiterate that, if asked, we will do all that we can," he said.
See: 'Don't Rush Budget', Says McGuinness
See: North's Secretary Offers Irish Bail-out
The high level call came just days before the Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he has "considerable confidence" that the Stormont parties will be able to agree a budget.
Appearing on the recent BBC's Politics Show, Mr McGuinness argued "people should not be concerned about a lapse of a few days, or even a week or two".
"The objective is to put a budget in place and to be quite honest, I have considerable confidence, given the discussions I've been involved in, that we will be able to do that," he said.
However, time is running out, according to the NIO boss who has highlighted the economy at Chamber of Commerce meetings in Portrush, Newry and Londonderry and also gave the keynote address at the Enterprise NI Tenth Anniversary Conference at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.
Mr Paterson said: "There is a very clear message coming from the private sector in Northern Ireland. It is that we all need to work together to rebalance the economy starting from now.
"The Government will play its part with the Treasury paper on the economy due in the coming weeks.
"It will look at possible ways of turning Northern Ireland into an enterprise zone and potential mechanisms for giving the Executive the power to vary corporation tax.
"The great strength of devolution is that local decisions are taken by locally accountable ministers. So I hope that a budget based on the spending review settlement can be made quickly as has already been done in Scotland and Wales," he said.
On other matters, Mr Paterson also reiterated the UK Government's willingness to assist the Irish Government if asked.
"Every business man and woman in Northern Ireland knows how important it is to have a strong and stable Irish economy and a sound banking sector.
"The UK as a whole exports more to Ireland than to China, India, Brazil and Russia combined.
"As the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have emphasised, it would be wrong to speculate about the financial health of another country in the European Union.
"But it is massively in the UK's interest to help Ireland through any difficulties it may face and I reiterate that, if asked, we will do all that we can," he said.
See: 'Don't Rush Budget', Says McGuinness
See: North's Secretary Offers Irish Bail-out
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
