Oral Answers to Questions — Economy – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:30 pm on 2 December 2024.
T7. Mr Gaston asked the Minister for the Economy where Intertrade UK will be based, what its annual budget will be and what staff complement will support it. (AQT 817/22-27)
My understanding is that Intertrade UK will be based in Whitehall. It is a creation of the British Government, and they will have responsibility for it. No responsibility for its creation, its personnel or its staffing costs lies on this side of the Irish Sea. It is entirely a creation of the British Government and it will be located in Whitehall.
Minister, you previously told me that the budget for InterTradeIreland had ballooned by more than £1·8 million since the introduction of the protocol and that it had taken on three additional staff. Based on your previous response, when will you become a Minister who is in charge of his whole Department, rather than one who is interested only in his all-Ireland agenda?
I agree that we should be given more powers, and if the Member wishes to take more powers from the British Government, I am happy to have his support; that has been an ambition of ours for some time. In this instance, Intertrade UK is not within my responsibilities. My responsibility involves InterTradeIreland and encouraging all-Ireland economic growth, which has been increasing at a significant rate in past years. Given the protocol arrangements, there is further opportunity for growth on the island, to the benefit of all the people who live in every constituency across the island. I do not have responsibility for Intertrade UK, but I am very much up for discussion of the Assembly's taking powers back from the British Government and exercising them on behalf of our people.