Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said the party is only getting started in delivering real economic change.
Speaking at the party’s Ard Fheis the East Derry MLA said:
“Two years ago, Sinn Fein took control of the north’s Economy Department for the first time.
“Since then, we have grown student numbers at Magee by 22 percent and invested more in the campus in just two years than in the previous decade. The expansion of Magee is an absolute priority for me and for Sinn Féin and will be delivered.
“We have increased students loans by 20 percent.
“We have also become the first region in these islands to introduce paid leave for women who suffer a miscarriage.
“Over the next year I will introduce new legislation to strengthen the role of Credit Unions in tackling financial exclusion; ban petroleum exploration, including fracking; implement more affordable grid connections which will support rural families and businesses; and introduce ten days of paid leave for victims of domestic abuse.
“I will deliver the landmark Good Jobs Bill which will tackle exploitative zero hours contracts, strengthen flexible working and protections for women on maternity leave from dismissal, introduce Carers Leave and paid neonatal care leave, and make it easier for people to join Trade Unions.
“Since Sinn Fein took control of the Economy Department the north has been growing faster than Britain in terms of economic output, earnings, and exports.
“There has been real progress in the space of these two years.
“But we are only getting started and there is much more that we intend to do to deliver real economic change.”
ENDS/CRÍOCH
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