Commenting on exchanges during today’s Northern Ireland Questions, the Minister said: “It is very encouraging that so many MPs, from across party lines, recognised the need for PMS depositors to be treated fairly. I was particularly pleased that the Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward MP made a number of positive and encouraging statements." These included:
" 'We all have a duty to do what we can to help them – and that goes for my right honourable Friend the Prime Minister';
“ 'I am prepared to break the bureaucracy... I am prepared to work with the honourable gentleman and other colleagues to help those investors'; and
“ 'As I have said, my Right Honourable Friend the Prime Minister will meet the First Minister and deputy First Minister again to see what can be done to help such people, not with empty slogans and hollow promises but with real action.' ”
Arlene Foster also said that today’s exchanges in the House of Commons point up the urgent need for the Prime Minister to meet Northern Ireland Executive Ministers and to bring the PMS issues to a positive conclusion.
She concluded: “While I welcome the Secretary of State’s comments, I do need to clarify his remarks on one point. The regulation of Industrial and Provident Societies is not a devolved matter. DETI’s responsibilities relate to registration and not regulation. This is an important distinction.”
Notes to Editors:
1. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
