Chairman of the Northern Ireland Conservatives, Irwin Armstrong, has congratulated Owen Paterson MP and Lord Ballyedmond on winning awards at the UTV Business Eye Awards 2011. The Secretary of State was named ‘business personality of the year’, while Lord Ballyedmond picked up a ‘lifetime achievement’ gong for his successes with the pharmaceutical company, Norbrook Laboratories.
“These awards show that the business community in Northern Ireland is increasingly looking to the Conservative Party to champion its interests”, Irwin remarked, “In Owen Paterson, Northern Irish companies have a tireless advocate in the UK cabinet.”
“One of Owen’s key goals as secretary of state is to grow private enterprise here and he devotes a huge amount of time and energy, listening to the needs of businesspeople. All his hard work is paying dividends too. With cabinet colleagues he managed to cut Air Passenger Duty for long haul flights to and from Northern Ireland, saving our vital direct link to the United States. Owen has also driven forward the argument for devolving Corporation Tax powers to Northern Ireland, which could be a key component for future growth.”
“His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by the business community here. They clearly recognise an ally in creating jobs and prosperity and this UTV Business Eye Award is a well-deserved vote of confidence in a secretary of state who is doing a great job on the economy.”
“Of course Lord Ballyedmond is also a stalwart of enterprise and industry in Northern Ireland. His success is an inspiration to any young entrepreneur and it’s great that his peers have had the chance to mark a life-time of achievement with Norbrook Laboratories.”
“The company employs over 1,000 people in Northern Ireland and it goes to show that, with the rights skills and determination, businesses here can compete with the very best in the world. We need many more entrepreneurs like Lord Ballyedmond and it is Conservatives, locally and in government, who will unstintingly champion business and give it what it needs to succeed”.