Speaking during an Assembly debate, the Lagan Valley MLA called for the transformation of the economy to be front and centre of the Executive’s priorities.

Mr Honeyford said: “We can no longer afford to view the economy as a side issue; our economy is absolutely central to creating our future. It affects job opportunities, salaries, and the amount of money each of us has in our pockets. It’s our mortgage payments or the cost of our rent. It’s our energy costs, the cost of fuel in our cars, and the heat in our homes. 

“Our economic performance remains stubbornly behind the rest of the UK and absolutely miles behind the South.

“I have said several times that we must get moving on dual market access. We must maximise the opportunity and use it to help turn our economy around.

“We need to get off the starting line and aim for the future we want to see. There is no point in having an opportunity yet sitting back and looking at it. It’s time to increase our efforts, increase our focus and strive for better.

“Alliance aspires to enhanced North/South economic co-operation, bringing shared economic opportunity across the island of Ireland, alongside continuing to support our trade with Great Britain, which remains our largest trading partner.”