'We suffer from a brain drain'

Speaking after the Ministers visit Cllr Finlay said: "I thank the Minister for coming to visit Ballymoney last week. I feel that she listened and learned from what was said. As Chairman of the Development Committee I pushed her on the issue of jobs and investment in the area. I am hopeful that the NI Executive will act and I encourage them to do so because we are in a desperate need of assistance.

"Ballymoney has suffered terribly over the last few years. All major companies have gone. In 2005 we had 200 job losses with closure of Fleming Poultry, British Textiles and Ballymoney Foods. This was followed in 2006 and 2007 with two phases of job reductions TYCO, in late 2006 and 2007 when the company closed. This with the closure of Reid Transport saw a loss of 500 jobs. For us this is dire in terms of loss of jobs.

"Most of our food sector has been lost. There has been reductions, too, in employment levels in many of our small and medium sized enterprises.

"While we are facing a downturn in the manufacturing and construction sector the growth in the service sector and IT industry is not happening.

"Average earnings in the borough are well below the Northern Ireland Average. This must be corrected and brought into line with the rest of our Province."

Commenting on Ballymoney being labelled a 'commuter town', Cllr Finlay continued: "We also suffer from a brain drain in the area, with local people leaving for other places for work. People from the area with skills, knowledge and the qualifications have no opportunity for employment, as high skilled jobs are not being attracted to the area.

"More and more people are having to travel to work. This brings added pressure to already busy roads, such as A26 which serves the north east.

"We look to our Assembly to take whatever measures they can to secure new jobs. I want to see local jobs created for local people in the North East area. "