Robinson and McGuinness welcome Oscar winning team to Stormont

First Minister the Rt. Hon. Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA tonight hosted a special reception for the local creative team behind the Oscar winning short film, 'The Shore'.

Pictured L-R deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Terry George, Oorlagh George 

and First Minister Peter Robinson. The Shore was written and directed by Terry George and produced by his daughter Oorlagh on location in Coney Island, Co Down.

Welcoming the top class cast along with director Terry George and his family, including daughter Oorlagh who was the film's producer, the Ministers praised the picture after a special screening in Parliament Buildings. They said: "This is a delightful tale, beautifully told and acted. It is a superb film - a little gem. Shot on location at Coney Island in County Down, not only does it showcase our world-beating local creative talent, but it gives a worldwide audience a glimpse of the unique beauty of our homeland.

"Congratulations to Terry and Oorlagh and the hugely talented cast who have added to our rapidly growing status in the creative industries.

"The success of 'The Shore' is global recognition of the Executive's continued support to our local film industry which has attracted major players such as HBO and Universal Studios. And, it also reminds the World that this is an exciting place to work, learn and visit."

Why it’s not all gloom on the economy

The First Minister the Rt Hon Peter D. Robinson MLA and the deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA presented a positive pitch for the local economy during an address to business leaders at Stormont tonight.

The message was robust and forthright as both men sought to banish the prevailing blues encouraged by the recession. They were addressing the annual President’s dinner of the Northern Ireland Assembly Business Trust and in his remarks Mr Robinson put the focus very firmly on our business success: “The Executive is working with business to develop policies to help grow our economy. The significant reduction in the capital budget from Westminster and the withdrawal by the Republic of Ireland of the greater part of its support for the A5 road scheme left us with many challenges, but last week’s capital announcement of £583million for roads and hospitals shows that we are determined to press ahead with our ambitious proposals.

“The feedback we have received on the draft Programme for Government has been encouraging. There is clear recognition that it balances the need to grow the economy while addressing social need. This is an essential combination that will help to put Northern Ireland in a better strategic position for the future.”

Mr Robinson pointed out that while the Executive was tackling the economy in every way that it could, news headlines could sometimes impact adversely.

He said: “The reality is that too often, the media are the purveyors of the gloom and doom. In turn despondency becomes a self fulfilling prophesy, because people who are unsure of the future, or have been spooked about it, become unwilling to spend and businesses lose interest in the potential to invest.

“We are absolutely committed to bringing more and better jobs to Northern Ireland. In the coming months we will travel to India and China to seek to develop trading links and encourage investment. We hope that in time we can replicate the success we have achieved in the US in these new markets.”

The deputy First Minister took up the theme of maximising the local economy’s exporting potential: “We are inspired by the entrepreneurial attitude of our local private sector. There is an acknowledgement that a strong and vibrant private sector, with capability to trade worldwide, is the key to assisting economic recovery and future growth.

"We appeal to those representing local businesses tonight to utilise the invaluable resources offered by Invest NI in developing your export potential.

“The Executive is in a position where we have a range of policies and initiatives in place which can and will make a difference and it is now up to us all to take the next step.

"We have every intention of doing so.”

What’s good about our local economy:

• Unemployment is still too high in Northern Ireland, but it remains the lowest of any region in the UK and much lower than the Republic of Ireland or EU average.
• Northern Ireland consistently outperforms other UK regions in national exams at age 16 and 18.
• At £12.4billion, even with exports to the Republic of Ireland falling, the value of manufactured goods sold abroad by Northern Ireland recovered to virtually their pre-recession level and sales to Great Britain achieved a new record.
• Belfast has the third highest levels of GVA in the UK, behind only Edinburgh and London.
• R&D, which is crucial to the development of our economy, increased by 6% last year to £344million.
• Belfast is the second most attractive city in the UK after London for Foreign Direct Investment, particularly in technology and financial services.
• In the last three years Northern Ireland (with a population share of only 2.8%) has won 7% of all Foreign Direct Investment attracted to the UK.
• Belfast is now among the world’s Top 10 cities for financial technology investments ahead of Dublin, Glasgow, Toronto and Bangalore.
• Nearly two thirds of investors here have ploughed additional capital into Northern Ireland. These companies include Allstate, Cybersource, Citi, Fujitsu and HBO.
• A total of 35% of all computer read/write heads are made at Seagate Technology in the UK’s largest nanotechnology site.
• Randox Laboratories sells to 130 countries around the world.
• Heartsine in Belfast makes portable defibrillators as featured on ‘ER’ and in the emergency medical kit at the White House.
• BE Aerospace in Kilkeel makes 30% of the worlds Business Class seats.
• A total of 40% of the world’s mobile stone crushing and gravel screening equipment is made in Northern Ireland.
• Wrightbus sells its new ‘Streetcar’ to Las Vegas and Hong Kong and has also designed London’s latest ‘Routemaster’.
• 2012 will be an epic year for tourism in Northern Ireland with the opening of The MAC, the Titanic Signature Project, the new Visitor Centre at the Giant’s Causeway and the return of the Irish Open Golf Tournament. 

Watch Discover NI's new TV Advert for ni2012 'Our Time, Our Place'

Ministers attend ni2012 launch

First Minister the Rt. Hon. Peter D. Robinson MLA, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA and Tourism Minister Arlene Foster have attended the official launch of NI 2012 ‘Your Time, Our Place’ in London.

The London launch, which follows similar events in Belfast and Dublin, provides a platform for the year-long series of events and campaigns not only to attract tourists here, but to use the year 2012 to help change the image and perception of Northern Ireland.

Taking centre stage at this year’s ni2012 extravaganza will be the opening of the new iconic visitor attraction Titanic Belfast to coincide with the centenary of the liner’s fateful maiden voyage, along with a new state-of-the-art visitor centre situated at the stunning Giant’s Causeway on the Antrim coast.

First Minister, Peter Robinson said: “NI 2012 will be a memorable year of events that celebrates everything Northern Ireland has to offer as a place to live, work and visit.

"2012 will be a year of celebration for Northern Ireland and we want to share our country with as many people as possible. We have here a real opportunity to show what Northern Ireland has to offer in 2012 and beyond, and to spread the word that Northern Ireland is a truly remarkable tourist destination.

“Tourism has a key role to play in the economic development of Northern Ireland and we have placed its development at the heart of our draft Programme for Government.

“The Northern Ireland Executive has invested significantly in developing its tourism capabilities and 2012 is the year when all of that investment comes together to place Northern Ireland on the world stage as a visitor destination.

"This is an opportunity not to be missed and I would encourage everyone to get involved, be inspired and join in the spirit of 2012.”

A series of high profile events is also on the menu, including the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, MTV concerts and celebrations such as the 50th year of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s.

Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness said: “This is a unique opportunity for the north to showcase everything which is great about our place to a global audience. All of the events planned for this year have helped create a new sense of civic pride and more importantly offer compelling reasons for visitors to choose to visit.

“I believe the positive effects of this year’s events will last beyond the year itself and will also provide a great lead in to 2013 when my home and historic city of Derry plays host to the City of Culture and Belfast stages the World Police and Fire Games.

“The north of Ireland is an exciting place to visit and invest. We have so much to celebrate this year and with so many exciting events planned, there will never be a better opportunity for you to see us at our very best.”

Speaking at the launch, Arlene Foster said that NI2012 was set to become the biggest and best show that Northern Ireland will ever have the privilege to stage.

She continued: “From the opening of the iconic Titanic signature building to mark the centenary of the sinking of the famous ship which was born and bred in Belfast, through to the Peace One Day Concert featuring Jude Law and Massive Attack, the Circuit of Ireland rally, the Clipper round the World Yacht Race and the Belfast Festival at Queen to name but a few.

“As if that were not enough, we will now be hosting the Irish Open on the world class course at Royal Portrush – home to our famous golfers Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell and where Rory McIlroy still holds the course record.

“As you can see 2012 will be a year to remember for Northern Ireland. But it is just the beginning of a new era and I am confident that it will generate a lasting and positive legacy to take us confidently into the future.”

Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland’s chief executive, concluded: “Tourism Ireland firmly believes that we are on the cusp of one of the most exciting years ever for tourism to Northern Ireland. NI2012 is all about harnessing the unprecedented opportunity to confidently put Northern Ireland on the global stage in a completely new way, to capture and hold the focus of world attention for all the most positive reasons. The superb programme of new attractions, events and historic anniversaries taking place in 2012, and indeed in 2013, will stimulate interest in Northern Ireland and help define what makes it different and why overseas visitors should choose to come here.

“Tourism Ireland will use every opportunity to present Northern Ireland in a way that clearly differentiates it from our competitor destinations, capturing the essence of a holiday here and highlighting our strengths – iconic experiences, warm, friendly people and value for money. “

A host of names from the media and business world attended the event..

Notes to editors:

1. This project has been created by the NI2012 Stakeholder Group, chaired by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and led by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. It includes the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, a wide range of bodies in central and local government as well as representatives from the private sector.

2. Key events taking place:

April – May 2012

• Titanic Belfast Festival 2012 – A fusion of International-scale events including a range of plays, tours, talks, films and major musical events.
• Titanic Light Show – Lighting show at Titanic Belfast MTV Music Event – Major outdoor music event (TBC) Titanic : Scenes from the British Wreck Commissioner’s Inquiry – A verbatim play by Owen McCafferty

June 2012

• Peace One Day Concert, Derry~Londonderry – International music concert marking the opening of London 2012 Festival and Paralympic Games Land of the Giants, Belfast – Unique tales on an epic scale of NI “Giants” including Gulliver, H&W, Titanic and the Giant’s Causeway A Coastal Installation by Deborah Warner, Derry~Londonderry – Major new living artwork co-commissioned by Derry-Londonderry Culture Company 2013 for the Cultural Olympiad Irish Open championship July 2012
• Clipper Round The World Yacht Race and Maritime Festival, Derry~Londonderry – The Clipper Round The World Yacht race homecoming leg, welcomed by a four day maritime festival to celebrate the visit of the world’s longest race

September 2012

• BBC Titanic Proms, Belfast – Celebration through songs and music (TBC) Giant’s Causeway Visitor – Opening of new Visitor Centre

October – November 2012

• 50th Ulster Bank Festival at Queen’s, Belfast – Dance, music, theatre, visual arts, film, classical and world music.

3. For press enquiries please contact DETI Press Office on tel: 028 9052 9604. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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