The Lagan Valley MLA stated: "It’s always welcome news when 500 high-value jobs are created in Northern Ireland, but it’s particularly notable that this investment could also lead to considerable opportunities in the future.

"Belfast will provide the firm with its largest technology centre in the UK, working on embedding AI into software systems and designing apps. This only reinforces Belfast’s increasing status as a leader in IT services.

"This will not only make Belfast the largest of four new flagship centres for Deloitte, but also stands to create opportunities within the wider economy through training and other career options.

"We should now be striking while the iron’s hot and be making far more of Northern Ireland's mix of unique economic circumstances. Investment like this shows that we can be a legitimate global competitor if we refrain from repeating old mistakes and choose instead to move forward with confidence and purpose."