Assembly Election 2016: Arlene Foster

Q: “How will you alter the views of those who believe Stormont has not worked and will not work for the people of Fermanagh-south Tyrone?”

A: “Decisions taken by Stormont which benefit all of Northern Ireland will obviously benefit people in Fermanagh-south Tyrone. Our decision to freeze the regional rate, now for the sixth year in succession, to block the imposition of water rates, to keep student fees as low as possible benefit people in this constituency. By securing the best deal on welfare reform of any region in the United Kingdom, people in Fermanagh-south Tyrone are better off than they would have been under Direct Rule.

As Enterprise Minister I worked during this Assembly term to bring jobs and investment to Fermanagh-south Tyrone. The unemployment claimant count for this constituency has fallen from 4.6 per cent in May 2011 to 2.9 per cent in January 2016. There is more to be done however and we have put forward a five-point plan to build a stronger and safer Northern Ireland.

We have already secured a reduction in government departments which will be operational following this Assembly election. Changes to how we bring forward the Programme for Government too should help make politics work better here. We have made huge progress, but we must always strive to do more for the people we represent.”

Q: “Would you be in favour of introducing road toll charges in Northern Ireland if the money was invested in our roads?”

“I want to see investment in our infrastructure to build Northern Ireland for the future. Schemes such as the A5 and A6 are particularly important to areas west of the Bann. These schemes do not require the introduction of road tolls, which are a further tax on the public, in order for them to be progressed. The economic importance of improving connections between our key towns means they should be funded through government.”

Q: “How will you bring jobs and investment to Fermanagh-south Tyrone?”

“The last programme for government set a target of 25,000 jobs for Northern Ireland. Some people told us this target would be impossible to meet, but in the end we brought 40,000 jobs. I believe the agreement to reduce Corporation Tax in 2018 to a rate of 12.5 per cent will ensure that we can attract 50,000 jobs to Northern Ireland over the next Assembly term.

“I want to see all of Northern Ireland benefit from improvements in our economy. With announcements such 800 extra posts by Teleperformance in Enniskillen there have been significant announcements in this constituency. In the 2014-15 year over 1000 jobs were promoted within Fermanagh & South Tyrone. Over the last 4 years, Invest Northern Ireland has helped secure £88 million and enabled nearly 440 businesses in Fermanagh & Omagh to bring forward their growth plans.

As a constituency representative I am always acutely aware of the needs of Fermanagh-south Tyrone and do all in my power to assist the people of this area.”

Q: “How will you reverse the problems at South West Acute Hospital that have occurred under the leadership of various DUP health ministers?”

A: “Upon assuming responsibility for the Department of Health, our first priority was to ensure that reform of the health service which had been avoided and ignored previously, were finally progressed. We have committed to spending an extra £1 billion on our health service over the next Assembly term and will employ at least 1,500 more nurses and midwives and 200 more consultants by the end of the next term.”

Q: “How will you change the perception of some, including those who support same-sex marriage, that your party is backward and not forward thinking?”

“We have put forward a manifesto covering every aspect of government, and a five-point plan to build a stronger and safer Northern Ireland. I have a vision for the future of Northern Ireland and want to build a country that we all can be proud to say that we come from.

We should not forget just how much progress has been made in Northern Ireland over recent years, and the DUP has been absolutely instrumental in securing those improvements.

As a Party we have outlined our view on issues such as same sex marriage, and whilst supporting the traditional definition of marriage, we value every individual in our community and do not want to denigrate or cause offence to anyone.

Progress in Northern Ireland is about building consensus. It is important that, on both sides of such arguments, that we do not use language which would alienate people in our society who have deeply-held beliefs.”