Consultation
9.The decision to establish a new single agency at arm’s length from Government is in line with consultation feedback. The consultation process involved Assembly Ministers, the Enterprise, Trade and Investment (ETI) Committee, the Economic Development Forum and Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) and was undertaken over the period October to December 2000. It highlighted strong support, particularly among the business community, for better and more efficient delivery of economic development support services through the establishment of a new single agency. The clear predominance of opinion noted the agency would have more flexibility and credibility and would be more responsive to the needs of its clients if it were to be at arm’s length from Government.