SDLP economy spokesperson Patsy McGlone has said the construction industry would be hugely benefited by the Executive’s implementation of a Green New Deal.

The Mid Ulster MLA will speak during an SDLP led motion on construction in the Assembly on today.

He said: "Construction has been one of the hardest hit industries during this recession. On Friday we have seen Patton’s entering administration with huge redundancies, and there will be a severe knock on effect of this development elsewhere.

"One of the most important issues is capital works projects, such as the policing college, which will give a much needed boost to the whole industry, from suppliers to tradesmen.

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"Further capital works projects would help more, not capital works for the sake of it, but those which are necessary, such as new build of many of the older, dilapidated schools which have been in the pipeline with little movement for some time and a concentration on improving our infrastructure, which will be necessary to attract FDI and further economic growth. We cannot dither on these matters, without cutting corners we must be strong in our decision making.

"Which brings us to the Green New Deal. We have green commitments to meet, and projects such as the retro-fitting of homes and improved sustainable heating can greatly assist us in meeting these commitments.

"To pursue the Green New Deal will allow us to improve the efficiency of heating our homes, which in turn will improve our health and keep people out of hospital during the winter, easing the pressure on our already over worked health service, and will be an added boost to the construction industry."

(CD/GK)