Unionists have criticised Sinn Fein ministers for not attending the announcement of a £50m funding boost for Northern Ireland’s defence sector.
The Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal has been launched by the UK Government.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard was in Belfast on Wednesday with Northern Ireland Office minister Matthew Patrick to meet representatives from local industry and research.
However, First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald did not attend the launch.
Executive ministers often attend major investment announcements, and in this case the injection ran to tens of millions of pounds.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said their absence was a mistake.
“It is puerile of Sinn Fein to continue to oppose opportunities that support workers and families here,” he said.
“The First Minister and Economy Minister ought to be championing investment in Northern Ireland to create opportunities for local people and local business, but instead they choose ideological grandstanding.”
Defence Minister Luke Pollard was in Belfast on Wednesday.
TUV leader Jim Allister said: “It is predictable that the Sinn Fein Economy Minister and the self styled First Minister for all have chosen to boycott the event associated with this investment.”
He questioned why both “were not prepared to be seen when our UK defence industry brings quality jobs to Northern Ireland”.
A spokesperson for the Department for the Economy said: “The Minister spent this morning speaking at a NI Chamber conference, followed by a meeting with Wrightbus. Senior officials from the Department and from Invest NI attended the launch of the Defence Growth Deal.”
The Executive Office was contacted.
The Defence Growth Deal will also support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sector and create hundreds of jobs.
Colleges and universities are expected to benefit from the cash injection.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence said: “Alongside the £50m investment, the UK Government will also provide additional funding for a skills initiative in NI.
“Defence will work with industry, colleges and universities to develop defence-related skills such as engineering and technology, supporting industry and creating more opportunities for students.”
Gavin Robinson said it was a major vote of confidence in local industry and a significant boost for jobs, skills and investment.
“This funding will support local businesses, strengthen supply chains, create highly skilled jobs and open new opportunities for young people leaving our universities and colleges,” he added.
“Northern Ireland already has over 9,000 people employed in this sector and generated around £2.2 billion of business last year. This investment can help grow that success even further.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson
Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann said the investment “is a vital commitment to Northern Ireland’s role in our national security”.
“We live in a time of growing global instability where threats are continually evolving. Having a robust defence must be a national priority,” he said.
“This investment will be a major boost for our local economy by driving high-skilled job creation and integrating our innovative small businesses into the UK defence supply chain and that is warmly welcomed.”
Geopolitical instability is boosting defence expenditure across Europe. Last year, the UK Government reallocated millions of pounds of money earmarked for foreign aid to boost its defence spending to 2.6% of GDP.
In 2022, Northern Ireland firms in the sector generated £1.9bn in turnover and directly employed more than 9,000 people, according to figures from trade association ADS Group.
The defence sector here includes international giants like Spirit AeroSystems and Thales to family firms like Mallaghan Engineering and Technical Metals Group.
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: “Northern Ireland plays a pivotal role in keeping the UK and our allies safe. In Belfast we build missiles that take down Iranian drones threatening our bases and allies in the Middle East. Belfast also builds the air defence systems that keep Ukraine in the fight against Putin’s illegal war.
“Defence is an engine for growth and the MOD is proud to be working with the Northern Ireland Office and the Executive to create more jobs, more opportunities for apprentices and graduates and more investment in Northern Ireland’s defence industry.”
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