Robin Newton MBE MLA

Robin Newton East Belfast DUP MLA has said the good news that 35 of the workers made redundant with the closure East Belfast company Central Group Services last week have been offered jobs with Dundonald based company Contract Services will bring relief to those workers and their families.

Robin Newton said,

"Being made redundant is a very stressful experience especially in these economically difficult days. It is good news that another company working in a similar line of business has been able to offer employment to these skilled workers.

Delivering the necessary package of support for the recruitment of the workers by Contract Services would not have been achieved under the direct rule administration. The intervention of the First Minister, economy Minister Arlene Foster and a quick response from Invest Northern Ireland was the key to success. Direct rule Ministers, in Northern Ireland for a few days each month, would not have responded in such a swift manner.

These are difficult economic days for the whole of the UK. However, for those who disparage and demean the Assembly and want to take us back to direct rule days this case points out the error of their thinking.

Supporting the jobs within Northern Ireland is crucial and rather than continually looking in the rear view mirror this situation highlights the need to move forward rather than looking backwards.”