Concerns have been raised at Northern Ireland Electricity's (NIE) approach to infrastructure and investment West of the Bann.

Sinn Féin Mid Ulster MP, Francie Molloy, and party colleague Ian Milne MLA, have met with senior managers of NIE after it was revealed NIE was unable to provide an adequate supply to support a proposed new investment into the Cookstown-based Dale Farm site.

Mr Molloy said: "I was exasperated and shared the company's (Dale Farm) frustration at the inability of NIE, the North's main energy provider, to guarantee sufficient supply to the plant.

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"Totally unacceptable was the suggestion by NIE that the company relocate to Ballymena where they would not encounter the shortage of supply problems.

"As MP for Mid Ulster I was stunned, but not surprised, by this attitude to investment West of the Bann. It has been a long held belief that the urgency required to ensure the infrastructure necessary for attracting investment West of the Bann did not exist. This was just another reminder that this belief is well grounded.

"I am calling on NIE to adopt a more effective, strategic approach to long term planning, particularly in the Mid Ulster area. The NIE distribution map highlights a clear gap in Tyrone, South Derry and Fermanagh in terms of heavy grade network supply."

(CD/JP)