Politicians must be prepared to answer all the real questions on economy

12.00.00am GMT Mon 13th Feb 2006

Young Alliance Chairman Cllr Ian James Parsley has said that politicians in all the Assembly parties must be willing to answer all the pertinent questions relating to industrial job losses, the decreasing private sector, and clashes of interest in industrial development bodies.

The North Down Councillor stated: "This week we have seen another firm collapse due to competition from abroad, and serious questions asked about clashes of interest and value for money within our main public-funded economic development body.

"These are serious questions, yet what is the politicians' answer? A ridiculous argument over whether a daft Council motion is better or worse than 24 pages of nonsensical proposals suggesting that our problems with rates hikes, water charges and gas price increases would all be solved by yet more quangos! These puerile gestures would mean hitting the people with still more charges with zero demonstrable outcome.

"We have to start promoting jobs in sectors that can add real value to our economy, and stop running scared of those who dare to create wealth. How do we increase start-ups and investments in such sector? How do we change our general culture to accept that a prosperous economy is central to successful reconciliation? What, if any, role do government bodies such as Invest NI or InterTradeIreland have in all this? We have to prepare for radical solutions.

"People want to know that the political will is there to deliver affordable rates, reasonable charges and sensible fuel prices. It is wrong that people are threatened with losing jobs, losing homes and losing futures. If the big four parties believe the Sectarian Political System can provide the answers to those problems, they had better start showing it now."