Neeson highlights need for investment in Co. Antrim

12.00.00am GMT Wed 22nd Jan 2003

Sean Neeson has served as Deputy Chairperson of the Assembly's Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Investment and is currently the Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust.

Alliance representatives throughout East Antrim have always made economic development and urban regeneration major priorities.

Mr Neeson said: "Never has the need been greater to encourage industrial investment in Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey because of very high levels of unemployment throughout the constituency."

"The impact of the downturn in the global economy has already created major problems."

"High energy costs do not help and I have persuaded the Government to include a clause in the new Energy Bill to allow the buy out of the long-term electricity costs which have made electricity so expensive. I also believe that natural gas should be made more widely available, especially for domestic purposes."

ENDS.