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Critical talks as deadline looms Critical talks as deadline looms
(10 minutes later)
DUP leader Ian Paisley has held further talks with the prime minister ahead of Monday's deadline for devolution.DUP leader Ian Paisley has held further talks with the prime minister ahead of Monday's deadline for devolution.
Following his second meeting with Tony Blair at Downing Street within two days, Mr Paisley said a "great deal of ground" had been covered.Following his second meeting with Tony Blair at Downing Street within two days, Mr Paisley said a "great deal of ground" had been covered.
It came after the DUP leader said the financial package offered by Chancellor Gordon Brown did not meet Northern Ireland's economic needs.It came after the DUP leader said the financial package offered by Chancellor Gordon Brown did not meet Northern Ireland's economic needs.
Mr Brown has promised NI an extra £1bn if devolution is back on 26 March.Mr Brown has promised NI an extra £1bn if devolution is back on 26 March.
The cash pledged by Mr Brown is on top of £35bn promised by the government over four years.The cash pledged by Mr Brown is on top of £35bn promised by the government over four years.
However, speaking earlier to the annual conference of the Federation of Small Business, Mr Paisley accused Chancellor Gordon Brown of "sleight of hand".However, speaking earlier to the annual conference of the Federation of Small Business, Mr Paisley accused Chancellor Gordon Brown of "sleight of hand".
Gordon Brown announced details of a financial package href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_enl_1174669140/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_enl_1174669140/html/1.stm', '1174669285', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=600,height=478,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Mr Brown met the four main parties on Thursday href="javascript: void window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_enl_1174669140/html/1.stm', '1174669285', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=600,height=478,left=312,top=100');" >Enlarge Image 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."
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 said that if Monday's power-sharing deadline was not met, the assembly should be dissolved and all assembly members "sacked".He said that if Monday's power-sharing deadline was not met, the assembly should be dissolved and all assembly members "sacked".
Further talks are expected over the weekend.Further talks are expected over the weekend.
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.If devolution does not return, controversial water bills will be posted to homes in Northern Ireland within days.