The devolution of powers to a locally elected administration brings real benefits to the entire community, First Minister David Trimble, has said.

Mr Trimble was addressing the recent meeting of the Northern Ireland Government Affairs Group on "The Benefits of Devolution" at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

He said: "We, as an Executive, have had to make the difficult decisions on spending priorities, priorities which are set according to the needs of the people of Northern Ireland.

"Devolution has provided us with the means to improve our services, but it will require a long-term programme of investment to address the under-funding of Direct Rule. Locally elected representatives have a real opportunity to take decisions that can make a difference to the everyday lives of the people of Northern Ireland."

On the recently announced Reinvestment and Reform Initiative, negotiated by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister with the Prime Minister and Chancellor, Mr Trimble said: "This major package of funding gives us the opportunity of a step-change in the standard of public service provision. It gives us the potential resources to turn around the infrastructure deficit that we face and at the same time modernise some of our essential services. This initiative would not have been possible without devolution."

In his address the First Minister also praised MLAs, particularly the largely unacknowledged work of Assembly Committees in assisting Ministers to develop new policies specifically tailored for the Northern Ireland situation.

Affiliated to the Government Affairs Group in Westminster, the Northern Ireland Government Affairs Group was launched by Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, during a visit to Stormont in March 2000.

The Group operates under a strict code of practice and brings together practitioners in Public Affairs and Government Relations including members from business, industry, the professions, non-profit organisations and consultants.

The Group is planning a seminar entitled "Is Northern Ireland Over Governed?"

The seminar will be held in the Odyssey Arena in mid-June and will focus on the government’s Review of Public Administration.

(SP)