Statement by TUV East Belfast Assembly candidate Andrew Girvin:
“Today’s news of job losses at Bombardier is a devastating blow for East Belfast and indeed manufacturing generally in Northern Ireland.
“In November Jonathan Bell, the DETI Minister, told the DUP conference: “Don’t let anybody tell you that manufacturing in Northern Ireland is in a difficult position”.
“He evidently hadn’t been listening to Bombardier. One wonders how many of the workforce who have lost their jobs or have been put on notice that their employment is under threat would have an answer for Mr Bell today.
“The complacent attitude of the Minister is inexcusable. Those who are only interested in hearing good news are ignoring the reality faced by many families who will now lose a pay-packet but still need to pay their mortgage and other essential bills.”
TUV leader Jim Allister added:
“Coming as it does just a few months after the massive job losses in Ballymena at JTI and Michelin this is yet further confirmation that the Executive is on the wrong track when it comes to securing and retaining jobs for Northern Ireland. The single transferable speech on corporation tax just doesn’t cut it. If corporation tax is the “silver bullet” the DETI Minister and others claim why are high value jobs such as these leaving the Province when there is the prospect of a reduction?”