25 April 2012

1. The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce (NICC) has a membership of 1,000 encompassing the full spectrum of business from micro enterprises to large manufacturing companies. One of the leading business organisations, the Chamber has been pro-active in representing the views and deep concerns of its membership on the performance of the economy; the shortcomings that must be addressed; the practical steps that can be taken to aid recovery and the role the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly must play in unison with the Government if it is to achieve a re-balancing and re-building of what can only be described as a precarious local economy.

2. The Chamber wishes to acknowledge the work that was done by the Northern Ireland Executive, the Assembly and the Secretary of State in securing the commitment to devolve Air Passenger Duty (APD) on long-haul services. Without the active involvement of Ministers and others, Northern Ireland’s only current transatlantic service would have been lost. The gravity of this position was fully recognised, and we freely applaud the wholehearted and determined manner in which the campaign was conducted.

3. APD powers are expected to be devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly by the Autumn. The commitment to reduce the tax ‘take’ in Band B (2,001-4,000 miles range) from