§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what research the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment based its assessment that industrial de-rating will not result in widespread job losses. [146310]
§ Mr. PearsonEvidence to assist our thinking on the way forward on this issue came from a variety of different sources: for example, studies conducted by DTZ Pieda, Invest NI and CBI as well as submissions made during the public consultation exercise in 2002 by the DETI and DFP Assembly Committees and local economists. The policy paper published in April last year also included a Regulatory Impact Assessment. All this evidence was analysed and considered objectively and the various options were discussed openly with representatives of the business community before a final decision was taken.