Statement

DODDS VISITS KEY NORTH DOWN FACILITIES 

Posted on: April 30, 2009

“I was delighted to have the opportunity this week, accompanied by colleagues, Cllrs Weir, Easton, Montgonery and Irvine, to be briefed on key facilities and issues facing the North Down Borough Council area. Following a meeting with representatives of a number of women’s groups in Kilcooley, I had the opportunity both to visit and be briefed on important topics at Signal Business Centre and then North Down Waste Treatment Works. While it was extremely useful to view these state of the art facilities first hand, it was even more important to do so in the context of briefings from officials.  

In the DUP we have always placed the economy as the top priority for the Executive, and in these difficult financial times job creation and business support is vital. The initiatives through the Signal Growth Business Centre are very much ahead of their time, and an example to many parts of Northern Ireland. However, it is not just vital in terms of providing nurture and support for existing businesses, but also in terms of long term economic progress in North Down. As Europe recovers from recession, I believe that as a result of the economic development plans in Northern Ireland as a whole, and North Down in particular, that North Down will be well placed to take advantage of any economic upswing, with a commitment to cutting edge and high added value companies, particularly through both long term partnership with the College and selective targeting of new client businesses. As an MEP I will work with my colleagues in government to provide the support to turn this vision into a reality. 

It is also clear that because of EU requirements waste transfer and disposal are becoming of ever more importance to North Down. If we are to meet the demands of ever more ambitious targets on waste, then it is vital that the necessary long term capital commitments are made. Whatever initial problems have to be tackled, it is clear that the major investment in excellent facilities such as the Waste Transfer Station and the Recycling Centre is providing North Down with a long term vision for tackling our waste problems.”