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| NI cash 'not enough' says Paisley | NI cash 'not enough' says Paisley |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The financial package offered by the chancellor does not meet Northern Ireland's economic needs, DUP leader Ian Paisley has said. | The financial package offered by the chancellor does not meet Northern Ireland's economic needs, DUP leader Ian Paisley has said. |
| Speaking to the annual conference of the Federation of Small Business, Mr Paisley accused Chancellor Gordon Brown of "sleight of hand". | Speaking to the annual conference of the Federation of Small Business, Mr Paisley accused Chancellor Gordon Brown of "sleight of hand". |
| Mr Brown has promised NI an extra £1bn if devolution is restored on Monday. | Mr Brown has promised NI an extra £1bn if devolution is restored on Monday. |
| Meanwhile, Mr Paisley is holding talks with Tony Blair at Downing Street - his second trip there within two days. | |
| The £1bn cash pledged by Mr Brown is on top of £35bn promised by the government over four years. | |
| BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said: "There was some gloom in government circles that, with Monday's deadline looming, this might mean the DUP wants more time or more concessions. | BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said: "There was some gloom in government circles that, with Monday's deadline looming, this might mean the DUP wants more time or more concessions. |
| "In his address to business representatives the DUP leader looked forward to the eventual formation of a power sharing executive, but he was scathing in his assessment of Gordon Brown's financial package." | "In his address to business representatives the DUP leader looked forward to the eventual formation of a power sharing executive, but he was scathing in his assessment of Gordon Brown's financial package." |
| Mr Paisley also called for an improved sanctions mechanism | Mr Paisley also called for an improved sanctions mechanism |
| Mr Paisley said: "Progress has been made in some areas, but I do not believe there is anything in the present proposals of the chancellor which will lead to the step change in the economy that is needed and which will close the gap with the rest of the UK. | Mr Paisley said: "Progress has been made in some areas, but I do not believe there is anything in the present proposals of the chancellor which will lead to the step change in the economy that is needed and which will close the gap with the rest of the UK. |
| "Additional money for roads or to allow some time for reconsideration of water charges is one thing. | "Additional money for roads or to allow some time for reconsideration of water charges is one thing. |
| "What is really needed are measures which will allow our economy to grow in future years and be less of an economic drag on the rest of the United Kingdom." | "What is really needed are measures which will allow our economy to grow in future years and be less of an economic drag on the rest of the United Kingdom." |
| 'Should be dissolved' | 'Should be dissolved' |
| Mr Paisley also called for an improved sanctions mechanism at Stormont. | Mr Paisley also called for an improved sanctions mechanism at Stormont. |
| He said it should punish any party which breaks the rules, without having an impact on other politicians. | He said it should punish any party which breaks the rules, without having an impact on other politicians. |
| Sinn Fein's Mitchel McLaughlin said there were still those in the DUP who did not want power-sharing. | Sinn Fein's Mitchel McLaughlin said there were still those in the DUP who did not want power-sharing. |
| He told the BBC on Friday that if Monday's power-sharing deadline was not met, the assembly should be dissolved and all assembly members "sacked". | He told the BBC on Friday that if Monday's power-sharing deadline was not met, the assembly should be dissolved and all assembly members "sacked". |
| 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. |
| The two governments have given the parties until 26 March to set up a power-sharing executive, otherwise Stormont will be dissolved. | The two governments have given the parties until 26 March to set up a power-sharing executive, otherwise Stormont will be dissolved. |
| If devolution does not return, controversial water bills will be posted to homes in Northern Ireland within days. |