The European Commission will not seek a retrospective payment from operators in the construction industry in Northern Ireland who availed of the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme between 2004 and 2010.

Commenting on the decision, which brings to an end fears generated by a review into the legality of state aid used within the scheme, DUP MEP Diane Dodds said: "I am delighted that after a period of great uncertainty, the European Commission has reached the decision that it will not require operators in the Northern Ireland construction industry to repay the aggregates levy of £1.60 per tonne for which they received an 80% rebate between 2004 and 2010.

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"For too long, the threat of the European Commission review has cast a shadow over the future of our industry, and in a climate where businesses already face severe financial pressures, this news will be met with a sigh of relief right across the sector."This decision is the successful culmination of a great deal of work carried out by the Quarry Products Association (QPA) in raising awareness of how any retrospective payment would decimate our industry. I have worked closely with Mr Gordon Best, Regional Director of QPA, to bring the issue to the floor of Parliament and indeed to the door of the European Commissioner for Competition on numerous occasions. There can be no doubt this is a victory for all those who have endeavoured to protect the local industry."

(CD/IT)