“History books will not remember 2009 fondly. It will forever be known as the year that the effects of the credit crunch began to bite. Rising unemployment and an unstable housing market combined to make it one of the toughest years in living memory.
There is no doubt that it has been a difficult year but as I reflect on 2009 I am also reminded of the many positive moments that occurred. At the beginning of 2009 we were faced with a deepening economic crisis the likes of which had never been seen before. The DUP Finance Minister reacted by announcing a credit crunch package that formed the basis of all our work in 2009. This series of policies underpinned our economy and marked a real change of direction from Direct Rule. Local Ministers responded to local needs with policies for Northern Ireland made in Northern Ireland.
Despite the slowing economy our Ministers are delivering. In the past year we have secured jobs and attracted companies as big as the New York Stock Exchange to our shores. We have spent billions on our infrastructure improving our schools, hospitals and roads. Devolution is delivering free prescriptions, has delivered free public transport for the over 60s; it has frozen regional rates and deferred the introduction of water charges; all of which has produced an average saving of over £1300 per household. We have provided assistance to older people ensuring they can heat their homes and most recently we have been able to provide financial assistance to those affected by the severe flooding in parts of Northern Ireland.
Perhaps the darkest moment of 2009 came in March when Northern Ireland suffered the tragic loss of PSNI Constable, Stephen Carroll and Sappers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey. Their killers believed that in murdering these men they would bring down the Executive and plunge Northern Ireland into the relentless, cyclical violence of our past. They unequivocally failed. Instead Martin McGuinness who once opposed the police now stood beside the Chief Constable in a call for those terrorists to be brought to justice. The deaths of these brave and selfless men galvanised the leadership of Northern Ireland.
Devolution works and I am determined to keep it working. I am equally determined that there should be no return to the dark days of our past. Those who argue for a return to Direct Rule need to remember the powerlessness and isolation that such a situation meant for our community. Direct Rule Ministers, who had no stake in seeing our community prosper, were taking decisions over our heads.
I do not pretend that the current form of government is perfect – far from it – but we are working to improve the current arrangements to make them more responsive to local needs and to create a government that is less expensive and more efficient.
I have no doubt that dissident terrorists will plan further attacks against those who serve to protect us, but they are fighting a lost cause, there is only one way forward for Northern Ireland and their evil, cowardly actions will not sway us from continuing on the path we are pursuing.
Northern Ireland has come a long way in the past year. It is easy to focus on the few issues where decisions have not been made but we shouldn’t forget that in 2009 hundreds of decisions made by the Executive greatly improved the situation for our community and voluntary sector as well as businesses and householders.
We will continue to implement our strategy to build a better Northern Ireland in 2010. Whilst some people want to tear down Stormont because of Sinn Fein’s presence in government, in 2010 I will be urging them to rethink. I understand their rationale for holding this view. However, it must be a decision of logic rather than emotion. It is not logical for unionists to sideline themselves and hand control back to Direct Rulers.
In 2010, unionists will have an opportunity to reclaim both the South Belfast and Fermanagh & South Tyrone Westminster seats. As the largest Party in both seats, this should be a priority for all unionists.
I look forward to 2010 and see it as the year in which devolved government must find its feet and build upon its successes. All of the Parties in the Executive must work to undo the unhealthy skepticism towards devolution.”
