United response needed to address implications of EU referendum: Ó Muilleoir

Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has met with business, union and community leaders to discuss a cohesive approach in responding to the EU referendum.

Speaking after the meeting at PwC’s headquarters in Belfast, the Minister said: “We recognised the need for honesty about the scale of the challenges and uncertainty arising from the EU referendum.

“We also agreed the importance of action from the Executive to protect our interests.

“This will require the Executive to be front and centre in any future negotiations to protect, for example, free movement of labour and trade, particularly on the island of Ireland.

“In the short term, the Executive is committed to providing what clarity it can as soon as possible and my Department is working to ensure that EU funding is maximised.”

The Minister continued: “I endorse the comments from the Governor of the Bank of England this morning about the need for stimulus and I am determined to protect public spending and progress key capital projects.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Attendees at the meeting included:

• John Compton, PWC
• Janette Jones, PWC
• Seamus McAleavey, NICVA
• Ann McGregor, NI Chamber of Commerce
• Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA
• Wilfred Mitchell, FSB
• Nigel Smyth, CBI
• Jennifer McKeever, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce
• Stephen Kelly, Manufacturing NI
• Declan Billington, NIFDA
• Jackie Pollock & Gerry Murphy, NIC-ICTU
• Department of Finance officials

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