Ann McGregor, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber), said:

“Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the Secretary of State’s announcement that she will bring forward legislation to allow the Northern Ireland Civil Service to make decisions in the absence of devolution.

“NI Chamber has been asking the Secretary of State to put in place special legislative measures to allow civil servants to take important decisions for some time now. Therefore today’s announcement is warmly welcomed and should allow Civil Servants to proceed with vital decisions which are to the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.

“There are a number of key infrastructure projects being held back awaiting final ministerial approval. Linked to these are inward investors interested in establishing operations in Belfast and elsewhere which would generate hundreds of quality jobs and pump money into the local economy through attractive salaries for staff. Failure to move these projects forward will have an adverse effect on the local economy and hold back much needed investment.

“Also, in addition to the larger infrastructure projects which require urgent attention, Civil Servants must move forward quickly in terms of making their own routine spend – this is vital in creating work for many of our members and their supply chains who rely on work generated by the Public Sector.”