Neeson puts helping businesses at the top of the Assembly agenda

9.40.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 15th Oct 2007

Alliance Enterprise Spokesperson Séan Neeson MLA

Alliance Enterprise Spokesperson Séan Neeson MLA is giving the Assembly the chance to make a firm commitment to creating measures to strengthen our economy. He is proposing a motion to be debated in the Assembly tomorrow on fiscal reform, which will allow MLAs to strengthen their calls for lowering corporation tax and call for a cocktail of measures to help local businesses.

The East Antrim Assembly Member said: "Tomorrow's debate puts corporation tax and other measures to boost our economy firmly back on the agenda.

"We need to see more action and more radical thinking from the Executive on ways attract more foreign investment and bolster local businesses.

"I hope that unionist parties also recognise that we need tax-varying powers to be able to cut corporation tax here. They must examine their position on this issue.

"Because of the development of the global economy, Northern Ireland needs adequate measures to allow it to compete more strongly in the business sphere.

"So far very little the Executive has delivered next to nothing in terms of legislation. Local businesses will be disappointed at the lack of fresh ideas from them.

"Alliance wants to see a cocktail of measures, not only reduced corporation tax levels, introduced to entice more inward investment and to ensure sustainable development in our homegrown companies.

"We have seen weeks and weeks of virtual inactivity from the Executive. This debate will push business back to the top of the agenda and give MLAs the chance to pressurise Ministers into action."

ENDS