Allister regrets lack of ministerial effort in seeking special provision for N.I. aid

16 June 2005

Statement by DUP MEP Jim Allister;

"As part of my campaign to preserve the right for Northern Ireland (in particular Invest NI) to offer state aid to encourage inward investment, in addition to lobbying in Brussels, I had written to our DETI Minister, Angela Smith MP.

I attach a copy of my correspondence with the Minister.  I am somewhat disappointed that it appears from the Minister's letter that, though the Commission is actively developing its position at this time, there has been no ministerial representation to Brussels since the election and indeed previously the only ministerial involvement was a single phone call by the ex-Secretary of State, Paul Murphy, to the Commission's Director of Competition.  Otherwise representations have been left to DTI in London, whose ambition is to reduce state aid.

My concern is that DTI does not have the same interest in this matter as Northern Ireland and, therefore, I regret the fact that our own DETI Minister has never thought it necessary to make direct representations - as I have done - to the Competition Commissioner in Brussels. 

This is a vital matter for Northern Ireland.  If the Commission's final Regional Aid Guidelines, when published, continue to fail to provide for a special status for Northern Ireland, then I believe our Direct Rule Ministers will carry a heavy responsibility for that outcome."

http://www.jimallister.org/uploads/Letter_to_Angela_Smith_MP__104.doc

http://www.jimallister.org/uploads/Response_from_Angela_Smith_MP_105.pdf

http://www.jimallister.org/uploads/Response_to_Angela_Smith_MP_106.doc

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