First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill has welcomed the announcement of the delegation of influential business leaders visiting the north later in October.

Speaking after US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy announced the first visit, Michelle O’Neill said:

“A delegation of influential business leaders from the US will visit the north later this month led by Special Envoy Joe Kennedy, once again demonstrating his commitment to investment here.

“This is yet another opportunity to showcase our huge economic potential and the unique opportunities that we have here through access to the EU and British markets.

“US companies have been instrumental for two decades in creating thousands of jobs here and helping to develop local businesses as centres of excellence in many areas of technology.

“Continuing to attract investment and creating good jobs for the next generation should be the joint mission for us all in political leadership and delegations like this are central to that.

“It’s now time to move forward. Rightly, public expectations are that those elected to the Assembly last May will get on with the job.

“Time is of the essence. I want to see the Assembly, Executive and North/South structures restored in a matter of weeks. Not a month longer can go by with nobody at the wheel.

“The importance of getting local ministers back around the Executive table and running departments is absolutely vital. Workers and families need our support. 

“We must all grasp the opportunities to move forward together in the days and weeks ahead. 

“As incoming First Minister, it is my absolute determination to work together to make politics work and to deliver for workers, families and businesses.”