Northern Economy Warning For Robinson

Newly-installed First Minister Peter Robinson has been warned that key decisions made now over the future development of the North will have a major bearing on the local economy well into the next decade.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said issues such as ensuring land available to the Executive is used and disposed of to best effect would impact significantly on the public purse in the years to come.

Experts should be brought in by the ministers to ensure best prices are achieved and that the market is not unbalanced by land release, they said.

Gerry Millar, Northern Ireland chairman of the body representing professionals in the construction, property and land sectors, said it was vital public sector assets were managed and disposed of to best effect.

He said: "The disposal of public sector assets has been high on the agenda in recent months... and the offer from the Prime Minister of potential additional funding to the Executive from the sale of public land, buildings and other assets."

"It is vital the public sector assets are managed and disposed of to best effect. In particular, we would urge the Executive to ensure that highly qualified property experts are centrally involved in decision making to ensure that public building and land sales achieve best value and to ensure that the property market is not negatively impacted by their disposal."