Sitting MEP Bairbre de Brún has claimed the Northern Ireland Executive could exploit EU funding better, in order to support the local construction industry.

Ms de Brún, speaking at a Fermanagh Employment Conference, said the devolved government at Stormont could use EU funds to part-finance a programme of energy efficiency renovations.

She also said the Executive should ensure that infrastructure projects were accessible to local building firms.

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"The construction industry can benefit from the infrastructure projects to be brought forward by the Executive in the coming months and could also benefit from investment in energy efficiency," said the Sinn Féin MEP

"Executive departments can front load infrastructure projects and also ensure that government procurement procedures allow local companies to compete."

Ms de Brún also highlighted the potential of the green economy.

"I believe that the Executive could, following recent decisions in Europe, use EU funds to part-finance a programme of energy efficiency renovations that would provide a boon to our construction industry, saving jobs and creating jobs."

(PR/BMcC)