SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone has welcomed remarks made by the Chief Executive of Invest Northern Ireland, Alastair Hamilton during a committee meeting at Stormont.

Mr McGlone who is Chair of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee said: "I asked Alastair Hamilton at a meeting of the DETI committee today to ensure that Invest Northern Ireland would look at the opportunities for business development which could arise from the Green Investment Bank which he has agreed to do.

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"The Government has said that there will be £3bn available to borrow from the Green Investment Bank by 2015/16 depending on national debt targets.

"We in Northern Ireland need to make a strong case for investing in green energy such as offshore wind farms in order to bring economic stability to our region. This will be vital to drive growth, create jobs throughout decades to come and promote a cleaner form of energy production.

"Investment on this scale can help promote business development as a whole in the North and that must be promoted.

"It is imperative my committee colleagues and I press for investment in the region from the Green Investment Bank which will have a positive knock on effect for our wider business community. I hope that Invest Northern Ireland can do everything in their power to ensure that business development flows from any Green Investment Bank projects."

(CD)