This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6104348.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Parties make their pitch to Brown Brown pledges £50bn 'peace cash'
(about 1 hour later)
The Northern Ireland political parties are meeting Chancellor Gordon Brown about a financial package to help restore devolution. Chancellor Gordon Brown has pledged a funding package of £50bn for Northern Ireland over the next 10 years.
Wednesday's meeting is being described as a "first pitch" for a so-called peace dividend. Mr Brown said the government would agree the funding, which would include £35bn over the next four years, if the St Andrew's Agreement comes into force.
The parties each have a few minutes to lay out their priorities for funding at the meeting in London. He made the comments after meeting the political parties at Downing Street, in what was described as a "first pitch" for a so-called peace dividend.
Following this, the chancellor will share his views in a round-table discussion. NI secretary Peter Hain said the cash was a "very significant boost".
It is thought the parties are all agreed on the key items on the shopping list - they want massive investment in infrastructure; a cut in the rate of Corporation Tax and a concession on water charges. "On All Saints day it's a very good, saintly day, for Northern Ireland," he added.
Mr Brown said the funding would be worth £50,000 per household in Northern Ireland.
The parties each had a few minutes to lay out their priorities for funding at the meeting in London on Wednesday.
Following this, the chancellor shared his views in a round-table discussion.
It is thought the parties were agreed on the key items on the shopping list - they want massive investment in infrastructure; a cut in the rate of Corporation Tax and a concession on water charges.
People want to see action and they want to see it now Basil McCreaNorthern Ireland Manufacturing Focus GroupPeople want to see action and they want to see it now Basil McCreaNorthern Ireland Manufacturing Focus Group
There will also be calls for a reduction in fuel duty, even though the government recently rejected this idea. There were also be calls for a reduction in fuel duty, even though the government recently rejected this idea.
The parties are hoping for a financial package worth up to £5bn over five years and they insist that this should be new money, over and above the Northern Ireland block. The parties said they were keen to lay the foundations for a package that would underpin devolution.
No deals will be done on Wednesday - but the parties have said they are keen to lay the foundations for a package that would underpin devolution.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said the financial package was "a necessary precondition for any restoration of devolution".Speaking ahead of the meeting, DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said the financial package was "a necessary precondition for any restoration of devolution".
"Unless the financial package is satisfactory, then there is little benefit in any return of devolution," he said."Unless the financial package is satisfactory, then there is little benefit in any return of devolution," he said.
Sinn Fein finance spokesman Mitchel McLaughlin said his party was calling on the British government to "invest £10bn in a peace dividend over 10 years".Sinn Fein finance spokesman Mitchel McLaughlin said his party was calling on the British government to "invest £10bn in a peace dividend over 10 years".
"We will also be making proposals with regard to the role of the executive in relation to public finances and the need to bring forward alternatives to replace those jobs lost in manufacturing, agriculture and textile over the last decade.""We will also be making proposals with regard to the role of the executive in relation to public finances and the need to bring forward alternatives to replace those jobs lost in manufacturing, agriculture and textile over the last decade."
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said the parties would be presenting a united front to Gordon Brown.Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said the parties would be presenting a united front to Gordon Brown.
'A clear signal''A clear signal'
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland businessmen are making a plea to the chancellor to cap industrial rates.Meanwhile, Northern Ireland businessmen are making a plea to the chancellor to cap industrial rates.
Basil McCrea, spokesman for the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Focus Group, said the business community needed some form of rates relief.Basil McCrea, spokesman for the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Focus Group, said the business community needed some form of rates relief.
"People want to see action and they want to see it now," he said."People want to see action and they want to see it now," he said.
"Capping industrial rates at 25% is a thing the government can do now."Capping industrial rates at 25% is a thing the government can do now.
"It would send a clear signal to the business community and the people of Northern Ireland that the government is listening to what we want.""It would send a clear signal to the business community and the people of Northern Ireland that the government is listening to what we want."
In July, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain refused to cap rates at 25%, amid industry claims that rate increases would cripple the manufacturing sector.In July, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain refused to cap rates at 25%, amid industry claims that rate increases would cripple the manufacturing sector.