Latest news with #NIExecutive
Belfast Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
First Ministers praise Northern Ireland businesses' resilience at Top 100 Companies launch
Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly were addressing a breakfast event launch the publication and mark its 30th anniversary. This year's list includes businesses which collectively employ around 10% of the private workforce in Northern Ireland, and together generated over £2bn of revenue. The joint heads of the NI Executive attended the event at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast's Titanic Quarter. First Minister Michelle O'Neill opened by describing the task of growing the economy as a 'partnership' between government and the private sector. 'This is about how we can work with you, how we can take all the challenges that we have and create the opportunities that we want to see for every single person who lives here.' She paid tribute to the resilience of businesses here in an 'economic landscape' that includes inflation, trade wars and changing regulations. 'We're going to keep having to navigate our way through that. 'Quite frankly, you'll wake up one day and you don't know what you're going to read with a Twitter post that morning announcing a new trade deal or new tariffs. 'It is very clear that all we can do is deal with what we know, deal with the implications of these things and try to work our way through that.' Emma Little Pengelly said that, despite our tendency to talk ourselves down, the Northern Irish economy has a lot to offer the world. That was evidenced by sporting events such as the North West 200 and creative awards such as the Bafta best drama win for Blue Lights, which is filmed in Belfast. 'Our creative industries have become a global success story, showcasing Northern Ireland as a hub for film, TV and digital content. 'When we look over just the last number of weeks, our North West 200 at the weekend, Rory McIlroy's success, Blue Light's success at the Baftas: these are all shining a light on the positive developments in this place that we call home.' The enormous changes in the NI economy during the 30 years of the Top 100 were discussed by Maureen O'Reilly, the independent economist who has compiled the list since taking over from the late John Simpson in 2023. 'In 1996 the unemployment rate was 11% in Northern Ireland, its now 1.5%. Public sector jobs were about 37% of all jobs, and that's down to about 27% now... 'Inflation has cooled to 2.5%: it's hard to remember it was four times higher than that in 2022, just four years ago.' Ms O'Reilly raised some areas of difficulty for the economy here, such as the ongoing issue of low productivity in the private sector, and the uncertainty caused by the US's approach to tariffs and free trade. Reflecting on the list, she explained how the profit threshold to enter the Top 100 had gone up from £6.2m to £7.6m, and that 39 new entrants came into the list, with 39 exits. Richard Gillan, managing partner of Grant Thornton Northern Ireland, said: 'Tuesday's launch of the Belfast Telegraph Top 100 was a celebration of the ambition and innovation that defines Northern Ireland's business community. "It was fantastic to come together with so many of our region's most influential leaders and organisations to recognise the outstanding contribution they make, not just to the economy, but to society as a whole. 'At Grant Thornton, we believe in creating opportunities to celebrate business success. Events such as these not only acknowledge achievement, but also strengthen connections, spark new ideas and reaffirm the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable growth. 'We are delighted to once again partner with the Belfast Telegraph, and we look forward to continuing to support the organisations who are helping to shape a more prosperous Northern Ireland.'
BBC News
19-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Covid bereaved criticise NI executive for lack of engagement
Some of the families of people who died during the pandemic have criticised the Northern Ireland Executive for not engaging with them following the first stage of the UK Covid first part of recommendations from the inquiry were sent to the executive last have said they sent four letters to the executive in the past seven months to request a meeting to discuss group said these requests were unsuccessful up until Tuesday evening, when it was confirmed they could meet with the first and deputy first ministers on Monday. 'Very frustrating' The chair of the inquiry found the UK government and devolved nations failed their citizens as they planned for the wrong pandemic. Brenda Doherty's mother Ruth Burke died during the pandemic. She will mark the fifth anniversary of her death in March said the lack of engagement from the NI Executive has been "very frustrating"."We know that we could support [them], it's not about taking away it's about adding to," she said."We can add value. Everybody can make mistakes, things can go wrong but you have to learn from them and I really don't believe, looking at the framework, there has been any learning."I don't want anybody to experience what our family experienced. Five years on and I miss my mummy."Ms Doherty said Monday's meeting with the executive is "just the start"."It can't just be a token gesture, the proof will be in the pudding and how we move forward." 'There's no next steps' Last month, the Northern Ireland Executive published its response to what's known as the 'Covid-19 Module 1 Report Recommendations' that examined the UK's resilience and preparedness for the Ferguson's mother Ursula Derry died during the coronavirus pandemic. She said executive's action plan, "lacks detail"."There's no next steps in terms of progress and how we work towards them in terms of a timeline". Ms Ferguson described the executive's actions as "really disappointing". "We met political leaders in July 2022. They know we exist, they knew from 2022 that we are here to help. We have lived experience and that should not be underestimated". She also cited the need for "legislative change" in regard to rules around visiting family in hospital and care homes. "We need legal requirement for families, so they are allowed to visit their loved ones in care homes. Because at the end of the day, that is their home." 'Better late than never' Enda McGarrity, solicitor for Northern Ireland Bereaves Families for Justice, said families would have expected to have been consulted and have a meaningful role in forming the executive's action plan."They were disappointed that requests for meetings had been unfulfilled," he families "now welcome" that they will meet the first and deputy first ministers next week, he said."A key concern is that the bereaved families have lived experience of the worst of what happened during the pandemic. "They should not only meet with the leadership because they have suffered most but also because they have gained valuable insights from their experiences and from the inquiry." By not meeting with families sooner, he said, "it creates a perception that that experience isn't valued"."It's better late than never... They are happy now that they will have an opportunity to meet with them," he added."These families are part of a group that they never wanted to be a part of, they've joined together and campaigned for the inquiry, they participate in the inquiry which is often a difficult process in itself and now they're at the point of trying to assist the government to implement the recommendations."The recommendations submitted in July 2024 from the inquiry are the first of 10 McGarrity said he expects families to be consulted earlier in future Northern Ireland Executive have been contacted for a response.
