Government must step up to meet economic challenges - Dodds

Finance Minister Nigel Dodds today underlined that growing the Northern Ireland economy remains the focus of the Executive’s Programme for Government

Speaking at the CIPFA annual conference in Newcastle, Mr Dodds called for realism in facing global economic challenges, so that the right policies can be adopted. He also underlined that constraints in resources require better efficiency and innovation within the public sector in order to deliver high quality services to the people of Northern Ireland.

He said: “The budget agreed by the Executive involved making difficult decisions. We must strive to do more with less. We have to become more efficient.

“Delivering better public services requires a willingness to innovate and public sector organisations need to scan the horizons for emerging ideas. They need to learn from those at the cutting edge within the public, private and voluntary and community sectors.

“Innovation doesn’t just mean new technology, but also new ways of doing things, new partnerships and new approaches. Innovation means a willing on the part of leaders to take managed risks in order to make progress – to step up to the mark.”

The theme of the conference was ‘Stepping up to the mark; taking responsibility’ and among the guest speakers was Lord Sebastian Coe KBE. Welcoming Lord Coe, Mr Dodds looked ahead to the 2012 Olympic Games and the many opportunities available to Northern Ireland.

He said: “I am encouraged by the work being undertaken within the Northern Ireland public sector to support and become part of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games. These events provide a real opportunity to demonstrate how under devolution Northern Ireland can play its part in remarkable global events.

“The main opportunity is the economic growth of our international leisure tourism. An additional 500,000 visitors are forecast for 2012.

“There are also significant opportunities for all sections of the Northern Ireland business community to grasp in the run up to the games. InvestNI, for example, has developed a programme of promotional activities and initiatives to signpost to the Northern Ireland business community the full extent of the goods and procurement opportunities that may arise.”

In summing up, the Minister reflected on the theme of the conference. He said: “When, under the tight economic pressures we face and the changing environment in which we operate, the Northern Ireland public sector responds in positive and innovative ways to the challenges of service delivery, we all benefit. It means better schools, better access to health care, better transport, better services for you, your family and your community.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Today’s conference entitled, ‘Stepping up to the mark; taking responsibility’, was organised by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). It runs for two days, 1 and 2 October, at the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle, County Down.
2. To spread the benefits of the 2012 Games across the UK, the London2012 Business Network has launched an on-line web based service designated ‘CompeteFor’ – to date more than 430 Northern Ireland companies have registered. UK callers may contact the CompeteFor Helpdesk on: 084 5217 7804.
3. Media enquiries only to DFP Press Office on 028 9052 7644 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
4. CIPFA Conference 2008 - Ministerial Speech