Economic forum to find solutions

Politicians, business leaders and unions met at Stormont

Politicians, business leaders and unions have met at Stormont to try to come up with ways of tackling the recession in Northern Ireland.

The economic task force was chaired by the first and deputy first ministers.

First Minister Peter Robinson said the crisis was "widespread across all sectors of society".

"We will encourage the members of the group to challenge us in what we are doing but also to bring forward solutions," he said.

"Our overall objective is to advise on the best strategy to get us through the present economic turmoil."

Mr Robinson will make a full statement on the task force to the Assembly in two weeks.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the problems of the credit crunch will not be addressed "simply by hope or blind belief".

"We have no monopoly on solutions or actions and we must all pull together to redress this economic downturn and position ourselves as a stronger economy," he said.