Ministers fishing for NW jobs boost

First Minister Peter Robinson told Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney on Monday: “If the Member has a quiet word with the deputy First Minister, I think that he will indicate to him that we have had conversations that indicate that there is a very real interest that would be pretty substantial for the North West.

“However, as with all of these issues and as the deputy First Minister knows as a fisherman, you have to wait until the fish is landed and in your hands on the bank before you say too much about it.”

Meanwhile, the First Minister also said he was personally favourable towards the expansion of Magee.

“I am very sympathetic to the case for Magee, which, I assume, is what he is talking about,” he said.

“I was one of those who felt strongly that, if we could do it financially, there should be an increase in the cap.”

Mr Robinson said he also believed improving skills, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and the capacity of our universities and colleges to enable qualifications in these subjects was the way forward.

“I am strongly of the view that we need to continue to have the growth of students coming out with the necessary qualifications for the above-medium salary levels that we are now attracting to Northern Ireland.

“That can only be done with the support of our universities, including Magee,” he said.