First Minister addresses business meeting in west Belfast

First Minister Peter Robinson addressed a business breakfast in west Belfast on Friday in what the Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey described as a "historic" visit.

Mr Robinson joined the DUP Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Industry Arlene Foster for the event which was organised by local businessman Gerry Carlile.

"Great event. I want more jobs for everyone in Northern Ireland, " said Mr Robinson after the meeting.

While the First Minister has been in west Belfast several times including attending business events the local MP Mr Maskey attached significance to his appearance at the breakfast in the Kennedy Centre on the Falls Road.

Mr Maskey said Mr Robinson’s presence sent a “very important message” to all the people in the area. “It will be seen correctly, in my view, as an important gesture of recognition and acceptance of the importance of the people of this constituency to the Executive at its highest level and on two fronts: political and business,” he said.

In welcoming the First Minister he said, “Today you are among a very creative and proactive group of people - the business community of West Belfast who provide the people of this area with much-needed employment and essential services and of course this area’s political representatives.”

Mr Maskey said the visit of Mr Robinson and Ms Foster reinforced the point that west Belfast was open for business. He hoped they enjoyed their visit and added, “I also hope the message you get from those you speak with will make my job a bit easier when I knock on your door seeking further investment, support for entrepreneurs and skills development for a community bristling with talent and ideas.”