Paisley junior praises Northern Ireland in Brussels

The Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels is an excellent gateway to increasing Northern Ireland’s profile in Europe, Junior Minister Ian Paisley Jnr said today.

He was speaking following a recent visit to the office which acts as a focal point for Northern Ireland Ministers’ and Departments’ relations with EU institutions. The office also provides meeting facilities for Northern Ireland organisations and helps them make appropriate contacts in Brussels. Staff can offer advice and support on engagement with European partners and decision makers.

The Junior Minister said: “Since its creation in 2001, the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels has helped to raise the profile of Northern Ireland throughout Europe. I urge organisations across Northern Ireland to make use of the excellent facilities and services provided by the Office to increase their profile.”

“The European Union has a direct impact on the people from this community and in the past we have benefited significantly from European funding. I encourage organisations in Northern Ireland to use the facilities and personnel available within the Brussels office to assist them in securing practical benefits, thereby increasing Northern Ireland’s stock throughout Europe.”

During his recent visit, the Junior Minister was impressed with the knowledge, dedication and enthusiasm of the staff employed there, along with the excellent facilities available to Northern Ireland organisations wishing to create stronger contacts and links throughout Europe.

The Minister added: “Through this office, not only can civic organisations and people from this province benefit from what Europe has to offer us, but we can use the office to showcase all that is good about Northern Ireland and improve our profile across Europe.”

Whilst in Brussels, the Minister met Alasdair MacInnes, Deputy Director of the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels, along with his staff, as well as Malachy Vallely, Director of the Louvain Institute for Ireland in Europe.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Media inquiries to OFMDFM Press Office, 028 9037 8177
2. The ONIEB has 6 main functions:

• Monitoring EU policy developments relevant to Northern Ireland;
• Ensuring that Northern Irelands interests are taken into account in the work of the EU Institutions;
• Facilitating contacts and links between EU Institutions and NI Ministers and officials;
• Raising the positive profile of Northern Ireland among European policy makers and opinion formers;
• Pursuing co-operation of practical benefit to Northern Ireland with other European regions; and
• Facilitating improved contacts with the EU by Northern Ireland non-governmental sectors.