Talks crucial to the survival of the Harland and Wolff shipyard were held in
Belfast today between senior managers and Stormont ministers.
Further consideration was given to the yard's business plan which envisages the selling off of over 70 acres of land no longer needed for shipbuilding.
Approval by Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Sir Reg Empey and Peter Robinson, the Regional Development Minister, is needed for the change of use of the land which is on a long-term lease from the Harbour Commissioners.
Last week the shipyard announced another 140 workers were being made redundant and has warned it sees raising money through putting the land to other business use is the only way it can survive.
Business advisors PricewaterhouseCoopers were asked by the ministers to assess the viability of the plan and, while they have not rejected it, have said more work needs to be done.
A spokesman for the ministers said today's meeting discussed PricewaterhouseCoopers' assessment of the plan. More talks are planned for later in the week.
The spokesman said the discussions had been open and constructive and had been important in helping all parties to be further brought up to date on each other's position.
"The Ministers are keen to facilitate Harland and Wolff in securing its future.
"The company has played an important role in the economy of Northern Ireland and believes there is considerable potential for job creation in the development of land which Harland and Wolff have identified as surplus to their future shipbuilding requirements," the spokesman added.
He said the issues were by their nature complex, and would require further discussion.
PA