Naomi Long MP said: “I am pleased that the UK government is taking a responsible attitude to helping address the problems in the Irish economy. So much investment and so many jobs in Northern Ireland are dependent upon the stability of their Irish economy and their banks.
“This is an uncharacteristically charitable gesture by this Tory-led government and I am pleased that my call for consideration of the impact of economic instability in Ireland on Northern Ireland’s businesses has been heeded. The economic problems in Ireland do not respect borders and we in Northern Ireland would be seriously damaged if assistance were not forthcoming.
“Whilst we recognise that this involves a significant amount of money, the cost to the Northern Ireland economy, and that of the rest of the UK, would be massive were the Irish economy to suffer any further.
“The Republic of Ireland is our nearest neighbour, our biggest business partner and our close EU colleague. It would be terrible if we in the UK did not do all we could to help Ireland, not just because it’s in our best interests, but also because it’s the right thing to do.”
ENDS