Donaldson Sets Out Executive's Vision For The Future

Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson has reaffirmed the government's commitment to building a better future for all the people of the North.

He was speaking last Saturday at the annual Confederation of Ulster Societies annual dinner at the Park Avenue Hotel in Belfast which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Addressing the audience, Mr Donaldson said: "Much has changed in the decade since the Confederation last held its annual conference in Northern Ireland in 1998. Who could have predicted then, that Belfast would become a must visit destination or one of the most attractive places in the UK to live, work and invest."

The Junior Minister told the Confederation's members that whilst we cannot predict the future, we can help create it. He also reflected on the ambitious targets that the Executive has set for the next 10 years.

"We have set out in the Programme for Government and Investment Strategy a range of ambitious targets to help us realise our overarching aim. Over the next 10 years we will invest almost £20billion in our infrastructure, including our roads, ports, hospitals and schools."

Mr Donaldson added: "We are surrounded by the evidence of increased prosperity and growing confidence. There can be no doubt that astounding progress has been made. However, we are only at the start of our journey and there is still some way to go.

"We cannot change history, nor can we reclaim the decades of lost opportunity, but we can, and we will, strive to create a region of opportunity and build a better future for all the people of Northern Ireland."

Mr Donaldson also paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of the Ulster Societies, describing their members as outstanding ambassadors for Northern Ireland.

The Confederation of Ulster Societies main aim is to promote social and cultural contacts with people from, or interested in, Northern Ireland, and to promote its welfare and prosperity.

The organisation has a long history, with many of its constituent societies having been in existence for well over 100 years.

The loose association between individual societies was formalised in 1948 into a Confederation.

Each autumn the Confederation holds its AGM / re-union weekend which is open for all members of Ulster Societies to attend.

This year's event celebrated 60 years of the Confederation. The highlight of the weekend is the Gala Dinner on the Saturday evening.