Addressing delegates at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy annual conference in Newcastle, Nigel Dodds said constraints on resources required better efficiency and innovation within the public sector in order to deliver high quality services to the people of Northern Ireland.

“The budget agreed by the Executive involved making difficult decisions. We must strive to do more with less. We have to become more efficient,’’ he added.

“Delivering better public services requires a willingness to innovate and public sector organisations need to scan the horizons for emerging ideas. They need to learn from those at the cutting edge within the public, private and voluntary and community sectors.

“Innovation doesn’t just mean new technology but also new ways of doing things, new partnerships and new approaches. Innovation means a willingness on the part of leaders to take managed risks in order to make progress; to step up to the mark,” the minister said.

“When, under the tight economic pressures we face – and the changing environment in which we operate – the Northern Ireland public sector responds in positive and innovative ways to the challenges of service delivery, we all benefit,” he added.

“It means better schools, better access to health care, better transport, better services for you, your family and your community.”

The theme of the conference was “Stepping up to the mark; taking responsibility” and among the guest speakers was Lord Sebastian Coe. In welcoming Lord Coe, Mr Dodds looked ahead to the 2012 Olympic Games and the opportunities available to the Province.

“I am encouraged by the work being undertaken within the Northern Ireland public sector to support and become part of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games. These events provide a real opportunity to demonstrate how, under devolution, Northern Ireland can play its part in remarkable global events.

“The main opportunity is the economic growth of our international leisure tourism.”

Mr Dodds added: “There are also significant opportunities for all sections of the Northern Ireland business community to grasp in the run-up to the games. Invest NI, for example, has developed a programme of promotional activities and initiatives to signpost to the Northern Ireland business community the full extent of the goods and procurement opportunities that may arise.”