Northern Ireland’s finance minister is to use a keynote speech in the Republic today to criticise his own government’s handling of the economy.
It is understood that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) minister Sammy Wilson will argue that while the Executive tried to soften the impact of the economic downturn, it needs to do more to actively promote economic growth.
Mr Wilson is scheduled to address an all-island investment conference in Dundalk and will use it as a chance to warn his ministerial colleagues that difficult decisions need to be made in order to redirect funding towards economy boosting projects.
The Executive’s current three-year Programme For Government highlights the need to support the economy, but Mr Wilson wants to see the next blueprint be more proactive.
Political opponents claimed that the Executive should have redrafted its plans at an earlier date to respond to the international economic crisis.
Independent economists also accused the Northern Ireland government of focusing on vote-grabbing measures such as the introduction of free prescriptions, and the delay of the introduction of domestic water charges, which they said have benefited the rich as much as the needy.
It is believed that the minister will use today’s speech to spell out his belief that Assembly resources need to be shifted towards encouraging economic growth.
Mr Wilson will claim that ministers have successfully eased pressure on households by freezing domestic rates, delaying water charges and introducing support for homes suffering fuel poverty.
But it is thought he will argue that while the measures have reduced the burden on the public, more policy initiatives need to emerge that will actively promote economic growth.
He is to address the All Island Infrastructure Investment Conference, which will hear calls for the need to invest in projects that can deliver benefits for the decades to come.
PA