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NI ministers seek financial help PM finance meeting 'very useful'
(28 minutes 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. Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have described as "very useful" a meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Downing Street.
Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness are being accompanied by Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy and Finance Minister Nigel Dodds. They were pressing for financial aid ahead of the executive's first meeting in five months on Thursday.
Neither would be drawn on anything specific discussed in the meeting.
First Minister Peter Robinson said: "We feel it is our first duty to report to our executive colleagues, and we are happy to be able to do that tomorrow."
The DUP leader and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were 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 agenda for Wednesday's talks included the deferral of water charges, back pay for civil servants and the need for a package for people suffering as a result of the economic downturn which 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. On his way in to the talks, Mr Robinson said they needed the prime minister to give clarification.
The delegation will be pressing the prime minister to fill it. "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," he said.
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''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.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.""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 this is enough.
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.
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.
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.
"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."