Crisis could see corporation tax ‘lost for a generation’

A crisis at Stormont and looming public sector strikes could “grind Northern Ireland’s economy to a halt”, a leading NI business association has said.

Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) chief executive, Glyn Roberts, said if the crisis led to a return to Direct Rule from Westminster, a chance to win powers to cut corporation tax could be “lost for a generation”.

The crisis arose on Monday after Sinn Féin withdrew support for a crucial welfare reform bill, accusing the DUP of reneging on commitments made during crunch talks before Christmas.

First minister, DUP leader Peter Robinson, labelled Sinn Fein’s response “dishonourable and ham-fisted”.

Responding to the crisis on Tuesday, Glynn Roberts said: “So far this week has brought nothing but bad news.

“We would urge all parties to work through this crisis and ensure the Stormont House Agreement is fully implemented.

“The price of failure will be Direct Rule and the huge opportunity of Corporation Tax devolution lost for a generation.”

Should Friday’s strike action by Unite and GMB unions go ahead, no bus or train services will run.

Unions Unison and Nipsa have also voted in favour of industrial action.

Defending the strike, GMB regional organiser Michael Mulholland, said: “GMB require full transparency on the detail of the Stormont House Agreement and what further impacts these will have.”

However, Mr Roberts called the action “ill-timed” and “misjudged”.

“This is the very last thing Northern Ireland needs at this time,” he said.

“With public transport shut down on Friday our members will face severe difficulty -how will their staff and customers get to their shops and town centres?”

Mr Roberts said local trade unions were “out of touch and out of ideas”, and called for them to “properly engage” with Government and the business community.