12 January 2000

ENTERPRISE MINISTER MEETS HARLAND AND WOLFF TRADE UNION REPRESENTATIVES

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Sir Reg Empey, MLA, met trade union representatives this afternoon for discussions about Harland & Wolff’s drive to win new business.

Briefing the unions was the most recent in a series of meetings about Harland and Wolff undertaken by the Minister.

Sir Reg said: "The shipyard is of major strategic and operational importance to the Northern Ireland economy and today’s meeting gave me an opportunity to outline the steps we have taken to assist management in competing for new shipbuilding contracts which are required urgently.

"We also explored with the unions any further initiatives to help the company at this very difficult time.

"Soon after I was appointed Minister at DETI, I visited the shipyard to hear at first hand details of the situation from management and the trade unions. Following that visit I was able to release £2.7 million in Intervention Aid.

"Since then I have discussed the matter with the Secretary of State and he has undertaken to follow up on issues raised with me by the company about UK policy on intervention grant-aid and MoD work. I have also taken the matter up directly with the MoD.

"The company is currently bidding for a number of contracts in an extremely competitive marketplace and I am in close touch with management about the various bids. I have offered to help in any way that I can, within EC rules, to secure the new business.

"I am aware of the financial proposals being developed by Harland and Wolff involving a number of parties. We are doing all we can, again within EC rules, to support the company in its efforts to put together a funding package," the Minister added.