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Prime Minister Brown on NI visit Brown makes first NI visit as PM
(about 1 hour later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is in Northern Ireland for the first time since taking over from Tony Blair. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has made his first visit to Northern Ireland since taking over from Tony Blair.
He is meeting Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and the leaders of the devolved UK governments at a summit of the British-Irish Council at Stormont. He met Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and the leaders of the devolved UK governments at a summit of the British-Irish Council at Stormont.
Before the meeting, Mr Brown said the government was providing a fair package for Northern Ireland.Before the meeting, Mr Brown said the government was providing a fair package for Northern Ireland.
"The financial package is very big indeed - £51.5bn over the next few years," Mr Brown said."The financial package is very big indeed - £51.5bn over the next few years," Mr Brown said.
"It is to make possible the current expenditures of the Northern Ireland Assembly and to make possible a big programme of investment in the future.""It is to make possible the current expenditures of the Northern Ireland Assembly and to make possible a big programme of investment in the future."
He also said he was pleased devolution had returned to Northern Ireland.He also said he was pleased devolution had returned to Northern Ireland.
Gordon Brown said he was pleased devolution was backGordon Brown said he was pleased devolution was back
Mr Ahern said he looked forward to working with Mr Brown on the European agenda and co-operating with the UK on security and terrorism matters.Mr Ahern said he looked forward to working with Mr Brown on the European agenda and co-operating with the UK on security and terrorism matters.
Mr Brown called for greater cooperation across Europe in sharing information on suspected terrorists.Mr Brown called for greater cooperation across Europe in sharing information on suspected terrorists.
The BBC has learned Mr Brown is to have a separate meeting with the first and deputy first ministers and Finance Minister Peter Robinson on the issue of financial support for the executive.
Strategic transport links in Britain and Ireland will also be discussed.
The council brings together eight governments representing Westminster, Dublin, devolved nations, the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man.The council brings together eight governments representing Westminster, Dublin, devolved nations, the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man.
On Tuesday, the North-South Ministerial Council meets in Armagh.On Tuesday, the North-South Ministerial Council meets in Armagh.
Ministers will focus on co-operation over a new roads programme and on reopening another section of the Ulster Canal linking Upper Lough Erne with the Shannon.Ministers will focus on co-operation over a new roads programme and on reopening another section of the Ulster Canal linking Upper Lough Erne with the Shannon.
The establishment of a North-South Parliamentary Forum is also on the agenda.The establishment of a North-South Parliamentary Forum is also on the agenda.
There will be coverage of Monday's meeting on Stormont Live on BBC One at 1130 BST - which will also be streamed online.