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/6475527.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Details due on NI devolution deal Details due on NI devolution fund
(about 1 hour later)
A new fund for jobs and industry will be made available for Northern Ireland if devolution is restored by 26 March, the chancellor has said.A new fund for jobs and industry will be made available for Northern Ireland if devolution is restored by 26 March, the chancellor has said.
Gordon Brown made the announcement in what may be his last budget speech.Gordon Brown made the announcement in what may be his last budget speech.
Mr Brown will meet with NI's political parties on Thursday, where further details will be announced. Mr Brown will meet NI's political parties on Thursday, where further details will be announced.
He said: "We will announce details of a new NI innovation fund, a new fund for industry and jobs to be available for a restored executive we all want to see." He also announced a 2% reduction in corporation tax, which did not satisfy those who want NI to be brought in line with the Irish Republic's 12.5% rate.
The Irish Republic's low corporation tax has been a key factor in its economic success.
A 2% cut still leaves at difference of 15.5% between Northern Ireland and the Republic - that's a yawning gap Sir George QuigleyIndustrial Task Force Brown cuts corporation tax Campaigners have long argued Northern Ireland's rate should be lowered to attract more foreign inward investment and to create thousands of jobs.
The Industrial Task Force's Sir George Quigley said the 2% cut would "do very little to help us attract a fair share of quality jobs".
"At last Gordon Brown has conceded we have to be more competitive in corporation tax but a 2% cut still leaves at difference of 15.5% between Northern Ireland and the Republic - that's a yawning gap," he said.
And Frank Bryan of the Institute of Directors NI said it was only a small step which did nothing to address the disparity with the Irish Republic.
He said he was concerned that the increase in corporation tax rates for small firms from 19% to 22% in 2009 would have a disproportionate effect on Northern Ireland's small-to-medium enterprise dominated economy.
Meanwhile, Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley is due to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair in the House of Commons later on Wednesday.Meanwhile, Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley is due to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair in the House of Commons later on Wednesday.
Both the Irish and British governments want a power-sharing executive in place by 26 March.Both the Irish and British governments want a power-sharing executive in place by 26 March.
If an executive is formed, it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.If an executive is formed, it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont.The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont.
A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.