'˜Refugees are welcome in NI'

Mr Dickson was speaking recently at a rally held at Parliament Buildings in support of refugees.

The rally had been organised by Amnesty International to coincide with a major summit on the global refugee crisis to be held at the UN General Assembly.

Stewart Dickson said: “Northern Ireland is a welcoming place for refugees and we should do more to help them. “Unfortunately the NI Executive is not doing enough to increase number of refugees that could be accommodated in Northern Ireland.”

Mr Dickson went on to say: “Northern Ireland has in recent years seen great cultural, economic and social benefits from the newcomers who have chosen to come to live in Northern Ireland.

“Considering the scale of the global refugee crisis I think it is important that we send out a clear message that refugees should be welcomed in Northern Ireland.

“We have a very clear social duty to help improve the lives of those affected by the most appalling conflicts.”