Review of Public Administration threatens economic disaster - Parsley

10.33.34am GMT Wed 23rd Nov 2005

Alliance Councillor Ian James Parsley has said that the outcome of the Review of Public Administration will be an economic disaster for Northern Ireland, unless a serious strategy for business and investment is implemented during the changeover phase.

Speaking as North Down Borough Council debated the plans, Cllr Parsley stated: "The Review of Public Administration is an ill thought-out farce which threatens economic disaster in Northern Ireland. Thousands of people in public employment will fear being put out of work, yet no economic strategy exists to create jobs in other sectors where they can put their skills to best use.

"Nobody disputes that there is something wrong with a society in which people go on stress leave because they do not have enough work to do. The fact we are over-administered and that we have too many people on the government pay roll is beyond dispute. But what is required is not mass redundancy, but rather a sound economic strategy whereby people can transfer their skills to other sectors. Only then can we create jobs and wealth to make our region genuinely self-reliant.

"But the Government is doing the precise opposite. It is hitting our businesses with a double-tax for water, our manufacturers with removal of full industrial derating, and our graduates with the withdrawal of training programmes. It is hindering business rather than promoting it. So how, exactly, do Mr Hain and his direct mis-rulers propose to replace the public employment it is taking away?

"The Government has spent so long engaged in shortsighted political stunts, it has forgotten the bigger economic picture. It is time for an end to shabby side-deals, and a start to proper governance on behalf of everyone in Northern Ireland."

ENDS