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Republic unveils cash plan for NI Republic unveils cash plan for NI
(about 10 hours later)
By Shane Harrison Dublin correspondent, BBC Northern IrelandBy Shane Harrison Dublin correspondent, BBC Northern Ireland
The Irish Republic is for the first time to spend money on Northern Ireland's infrastructure. The Irish government is to spend about £800m on Northern Ireland-related infrastructure projects over the next six years.
Bertie Ahern's goverment is to fund projects in Northern Ireland Bertie Ahern's goverment is to fund projects in Northern IrelandThe Irish Republic's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, says the money will be used for the benefit of both communities and for people on both sides of the border.
The Irish government's National Development Plan for 2007-2013 will be published later. Most of the money will be spent on transport improving the road links between Dublin and the major population centres in Northern Ireland but also between Letterkenny and Londonderry.
The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and his cabinet colleagues will be in Dublin Castle, the former seat of British power in Ireland, to announce details of their 180 billion euro infrastructure spending for the next six years. Funds will also go the Belfast to Dublin rail line and the City of Derry airport.
They say it is nothing to do with the summer general election, but the opposition parties are far from convinced. There is no clear breakdown of what monies go where and there will have to be some negotiations with the authorities in Northern Ireland.
And amid the splendour of the castle, the cash-rich Irish government will do something unprecedented - it will unveil some of its spending plans for the sovereign British territory of Northern Ireland. Mr Ahern says he is looking forward to developing these proposals with the British government and with a newly restored Executive, but there is no indication that the money is dependent on the return of devolution.
About 1.2 billion euro of that 180 billion euro will head north - that is about £800m. With the Irish government set to spend about £120bn over the next six years, the opposition parties have accused it of electioneering in advance of the summer election.
The money will be invested in projects aimed at promoting closer ties between the two parts of Ireland and at underpinning the peace process by trying to boost the Northern Ireland economy. Chancellor Gordon Brown said he "warmly welcomed" the announcement which followed "a significant package of funding and investment for Northern Ireland" which he announced last November.
It is believed some funds will go towards improving cross-border roads, particularly between Dublin and Londonderry. While our priorities may differ from those in the Republic, we welcome any contribution to helping us deliver the kind of infrastructure that will make Northern Ireland more economically competitive Peter RobinsonDUP deputy leader "I believe that taken together, our common efforts offer a unique opportunity to restore devolved government on a sound and forward-looking basis," he said.
The money will be invested in projects aimed at promoting closer ties between the two parts of Ireland and at underpinning the peace process by trying to boost the Northern Ireland economy Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said the proposals "have the potential to be of real benefit to everyone in Northern Ireland as well as to everyone throughout the island".
It will also be spent on cross-border educational projects. DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said some proposals "would not have the support of the DUP or unionists in general but others are worthy of consideration and discussion".
Letterkenny IT, for example, is expected to develop ties with the University of Ulster's Magee College in Derry. "While our priorities may differ from those in the Republic, we welcome any contribution to helping us deliver the kind of infrastructure that will make Northern Ireland more economically competitive," he said.
It is believed that the Irish government may also be prepared to provide about £65m to restore the Ulster Canal so that it links Lough Neagh and Lough Erne. SDLP West Tyrone assembly member Eugene McMenamin called for the British government to match the commitment in upgrading roads in the north west.
Ministers believe the canal that passes through Counties Armagh, Monaghan, Tyrone and Fermanagh could become a major tourist attraction rather like the Ballyconnell Canal that joins Lough Erne to the river Shannon. "There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that would boost the attractiveness of the North West and Donegal to inward investors as much as a motorway link to Dublin," he said.
Some of the funds are also expected to go hospitals in border areas.
The Irish government dismisses talk that its spending on Northern Ireland is an attempt to hollow out the union and create a united Ireland by stealth.
The money, ministers say, will be spent on commonsense projects for the benefit of people on both sides of the border.
Nevertheless, it's still a sign of the times.
And with the two governments working for the return of devolution to Northern Ireland in March, many believe the Irish government will continue to contribute to the economy north of the border.