HC Deb 23 October 2002 vol 391 cc365-6W
Kevin Brennan

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, What recent estimate he has made of the economic impact of the Belfast Agreement [74012]

Dr. John Reid

Northern Ireland has among the fastest economic growth rates in the United Kingdom. Visitors to Belfast are struck by the amount of building activity all around the city, as construction companies try to keep apace with the demand for office and retail space. Since the Belfast Agreement there has been high inward investment, particularly in the IT and hospitality industries.

I believe that economic development is closely related to the overall success of the police process.

Mr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on progress on the implementation of the Belfast Agreement. [74018]

Dr. John Reid

The Government are determined to press forward with all aspects of the Agreement. The key priority now is to restore the devolved institutions. Essential to that is the restoration of trust that all parties remain committed to fulfilling their obligations, and crucially the commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful means.