Foster should be concentrating on job as Minister - Kamble

2.20.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 27th Aug 2008

Alliance Party Enniskillen by-election candidate Dr Kumar Kamble has criticised DUP candidate Arlene Foster saying that being a Government Minister requires all a person's efforts, and he questioned how she can run her department effectively and stand in the by-election.

Dr Kumar Kamble said: "Being a Government Minister is a job that requires 100% commitment. How can Arlene Foster be giving her job as Minister her full attention if she is standing in the Enniskillen by-election?

"I am sure that the public will be concerned that Arlene Foster is trying to juggle the two matters and I am sure they would far rather see her working on boosting our economy.

"There is a massive amount of work to do at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. After all, Arlene Foster is responsible for trying to attract foreign jobs here and also encourage growth in local business. Given that our economy is in the teeth of the credit crunch, I believe she would be far better served focussing all her energies on running her department.

"Arlene Foster has also been one of the sternest critics of the dual mandate and she herself will be one of the double-jobbers if she wins this by-election. Local people will be very concerned about this too."

ENDS