West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Looking to a Better Economic Future - Gerry Adams MP MLA

Published: 25 March, 2009

The West Belfast MP Gerry Adams addressed a delegation from the Irish Chamber of Commerce USA on the evening of Tuesday, 24 March, as part of a business development trade mission that is focusing on creating economic development opportunities in the life sciences, information technology and travel and tourism.


Welcoming the ICCUSA delegation Mr Adams outlined some of the historical difficulties faced by West Belfast including structured political and religious discrimination, and the fact that governmental agencies charged with generating investment and supporting employment were responsible for a programme of disinvestment and discrimination.


The West Belfast MP was especially critical of the Industrial Development Board and Invest NI who "have presided over a situation where West Belfast continues to lag far behind in investment to every other part of this city and many other parts of the North of Ireland.

This is true in respect of the number of new jobs promoted by new, or first-time inward investors; new jobs promoted by reinvestment from existing FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) clients of Invest NI; and the number of first-time investment projects. Most stark of all is the failure to fully develop the Springvale and adjacent Mackies sites."

However the West Belfast MP pointed to the resilient, enterprising, dynamic and innovative business culture in West Belfast and expressed the confidence that West Belfast will overcome all obstacles.

Mr. Adams said:

''If the peace process is to have any meaning and if public confidence in our endeavours is to be sustained then the new political dispensation must deliver real results on the ground.

''Disadvantaged communities must see real change in their lives.

''The investment decision last year by the New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson to invest $150 million into the north and the decision last week by the New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to invest $30m are very important.

''In the time ahead Sinn Fein will encourage other city and state pension funds to persuade them to follow the lead given by New York City and State and to commit to profitable and also socially beneficial investments in West Belfast and across the north.

''As you visit west Belfast today there is a renewed determination to overcome the legacy of the past.

''If you have learnt anything today during your visit you will know that this community is resilient and enterprising and determined to build a better future.

''There is a very dynamic and innovative and committed business sector in this constituency and others like it.

''There is a culture of can-do and a raft of talented and skilled people ready and willing to create good jobs, and to build prosperity."