Statement by North Antrim MLA Jim Allister:

“A few weeks ago I commented on the fact that InvestNI spent over £4,000 on a single event for 14 representatives. The five course meal preceded by a champagne reception and followed by Van Morrison concert which cost £200 a head stuck me a grossly excessive.

“Of course there is a place for hospitality but it is vital – in a time of economic downturn – that taxpayers see their money is not being squandered.

“This lavish use of public funds is unacceptable and in an age of austerity restraint must be reflected across publically funded bodies – including InvestNI.”

Mr Allister’s question and the answer received were as follows:

To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what has been the total spend on hospitality by InvestNI in each of the last five years.

Invest NI supports and hosts a number of marketing and promotional events each year that form a very important element of Invest NI’s agreed sales strategy.  The provision of hospitality at such events forms part of this and provides an essential means of interacting with key global decision makers in order to attract new investment. 

The total spend on hospitality over the last five financial years is as follows: -

Financial Year	Amount
2011/12 (April to December 2011)	£262,465
2010/11	£487,026
2009/10	£562,318
2008/9	£481,759
2007/8	£300,130