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/7736929.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| NI ministers seek financial help | NI ministers seek financial help |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The NI first and deputy first ministers are meeting Gordon Brown in London to press their claim for financial aid ahead of Thursday's Executive meeting. | |
| Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness are being accompanied by Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy and Finance Minister Nigel Dodds. | |
| On Tuesday, the DUP and Sinn Féin came to an agreement on the devolution of policing and justice powers. | On Tuesday, the DUP and Sinn Féin came to an agreement on the devolution of policing and justice powers. |
| The Executive will now meet on Thursday for the first time in five months. | The Executive will now meet on Thursday for the first time in five months. |
| The deferral of water charges, back pay for civil servants and the need for a package for people suffering from the economic downturn has left a massive hole in the Executive budget. | The deferral of water charges, back pay for civil servants and the need for a package for people suffering from the economic downturn has left a massive hole in the Executive budget. |
| The delegation will be pressing the prime minister to fill it. | The delegation will be pressing the prime minister to fill it. |
| On his way in to the talks, First Minister Peter Robinson of the DUP said: "It's essential for us as an executive if we are meeting tomorrow and looking at wider issues of financial hardship that we know exactly where we stand on a whole range of issues. | |
| "That clarification is needed from the prime minister today." | |
| 'Legacy of neglect' | |
| Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin told reporters at Downing Street: "There has been a legacy of neglect and underfunding in relation to our water and sewerage services. | |
| "It is very important that the British government contributes to the resolution of these difficulties, which were effectively created by previous administrations." | |
| Thursday's Executive meeting will discuss the first draft of a paper detailing measures to try to deal with the financial hardship being faced by many in Northern Ireland and will want to know how much money they will have available. | Thursday's Executive meeting will discuss the first draft of a paper detailing measures to try to deal with the financial hardship being faced by many in Northern Ireland and will want to know how much money they will have available. |
| They believe there has been movement from the prime minister already on the issue, but remains to be seen if it's enough. | They believe there has been movement from the prime minister already on the issue, but remains to be seen if it's enough. |
| One source told the BBC: "We want the prime minister to help the Executive to help the people." | One source told the BBC: "We want the prime minister to help the Executive to help the people." |
| Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie will also be in London for talks on winter fuel payments with Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell. | Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie will also be in London for talks on winter fuel payments with Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell. |
| Meanwhile, the US deputy secretary of state has welcomed the deal on the devolution of policing and justice. | Meanwhile, the US deputy secretary of state has welcomed the deal on the devolution of policing and justice. |
| John Negroponte met representatives of all the political parties on Tuesday. | John Negroponte met representatives of all the political parties on Tuesday. |
| He said he was not concerned at the lack of a specific date for the transfer of powers. | He said he was not concerned at the lack of a specific date for the transfer of powers. |
| "There's a desire to move ahead expeditiously with the implementation," he said. | "There's a desire to move ahead expeditiously with the implementation," he said. |
| "I met with the first minister and the deputy first minister together and they both said they want to implement this as fast as possible." | "I met with the first minister and the deputy first minister together and they both said they want to implement this as fast as possible." |