Gordon Lyons has been appointed to replace Paul Frew as Northern Ireland’s economy minister following a DUP reshuffle on Tuesday.
Addressing Council’s Governance & Strategic Planning committee where Ulster University’s Dr Eoin Magennis provided an update on the economic forecast for Derry & Strabane, the Ballyarnett representative said,
“We have the highest claimant count in the north. We have the second highest rate of economic inactivity. We’re in the bottom half when it comes to wages and we’re on the wrong end of the scale in terms of people whose wages are below the living wage.
“I think everybody can agree that we want more jobs and better jobs. And we’re confident with full implementation of the City Deal projects and the Strategic Growth Plan that we will see more jobs and better jobs.”
“But, we need a policy shift from the Department for the Economy. Our council’s position is that we need to see strict targets for Invest NI in terms of foreign direct investment and job creation.
“We have written to the Minister for the Economy requesting a dedicated North West Economic Policy and the feedback from the department was that it has been transferred to the Executive Office.
“So, there seems to be an element of pass the parcel when it comes to engaging with the north west.”
Cllr Farrell concluded: “And it would be remiss of me not to mention the appointment of Mr Gordon Lyons as the new economy minister.
“It will be interesting to see if during Minister Lyons’ tenure whether Belfast continues to get the lion’s share of funding and opportunity or whether there’s going to be a change of direction and approach.”