Debate contribution: Regional Balance Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Ms Sinéad McLaughlin on 8 September 2026.

MLA: Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 8 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Regional Balance Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5674371

Text

I thank the Member for taking an intervention. I will be very clear on this: we are not talking about taking investment away from Belfast. I do not accept that. We are not talking about taking investment away from anywhere. I want Belfast to continue to succeed, but Belfast doing well should not require any other places to underperform. As I said in my opening remarks, a stronger Derry does not mean a poorer Belfast.
The other thing that I will say is that, based on a range of economic indicators, Northern Ireland as a whole is not performing particularly well. Belfast cannot be the driver for the Northern Ireland economy, as it is not that strong that it can hold and pull up the rest. It is therefore important that we look outside the Belfast area if we want to grow the economy. The Bill is about creating more growth and more potential and about allowing the North to succeed economically. That does not mean taking anything away from Belfast. Rather, it means adding to other places in order to create more growth.

184 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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