Published Monday, 29 July 2013
Simon Hamilton is the new Finance Minister. (??Presseye)
Mr Hamilton has served as the Assembly Private Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Personnel until this appointment, which comes into effect immediately.
He replaces his party colleague Sammy Wilson.
"I am very honoured to be appointed as the Minister of Finance and Personnel and look forward to the role and the important challenges that are ahead of me," Mr Hamilton said following his appointment.
"The portfolio of the Department is not to be underestimated as we work to deliver on a wide range of issues working with other government departments in delivering on the commitments contained in the Programme for Government."
The new minister continued: "As we continue to rebalance and rebuild Northern Ireland's economy there are significant issues we need to deliver on including the budgetary challenges presented to us by Treasury. I have no doubt that there will be continued financial pressures with competing departmental priorities when hard decisions will have to be made.
"Welfare Reform, rating issues, devolution of Corporation Tax will continue to be high on the agenda as well improving online access to government services by the citizen and continuing to tackle sick absence levels across the whole of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
"I am committed to working with my Ministerial colleagues in following through on the opportunities offered by the Economic Pact and in pursuing a programme of public sector reform to enhance the quality of services to the public and to improve efficiency."
Concluding the Minister said: "I firmly believe that DFP is the engine room of the Executive and if this Department isn't working well or functioning to its capability then neither is the Northern Ireland government as a whole."
Mr Hamilton has served as Chair of the Social Development Committee between 2009 and 2011. He was also a member of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee as well as Deputy Chair to the Assembly's Environment Committee.
DUP leader Peter Robinson welcomed the new minister and paid tribute to Mr Wilson.
"Since becoming an MLA in 2007, Simon has demonstrated his tremendous capability and hardworking mind-set in various positions both inside and outside the Assembly," he said.
"I know he will make an excellent contribution to the Department of Finance and the work of the Executive.
"Sammy steered the department through one the most challenging fiscal periods in the history of the Executive. Whilst Sammy will no longer be in the Executive, he will continue to make a positive contribution to the Party team as we keep Northern Ireland moving forward."
Source: http://www.u.tv/News/Simon-Hamilton-named-Finance-Minister/524db111-61c7-4362-b774-708665814be3
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