A key government meeting has taken place with the Mineral Products Association Northern Ireland (MPANI).

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd met with MPANI at Temple Quarry in Lisburn as part of its continued engagement with important stakeholders.

MPANI is the trade association for the aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, dimension stone, lime, mortar and silica sand industries.

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Minister O'Dowd said: "My Department has responsibility for 25,000km of roads and 9,700 km of footways and 5,800 bridges and therefore I was pleased to meet with MPANI and other industry representatives to discuss the importance of the minerals industry to the local economy. 

"The delivery of our infrastructure, whether it is our roads, water and wastewater services, or public transport is a key part of our economy providing much needed opportunities for businesses and for individuals. Temple quarry is an excellent example of site benefiting both the wider economy and the local community. The plant underpins the supply of asphalt and concrete products in the area, and so supports a number of local jobs both directly and indirectly."