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Prime Minister Brown on NI visit Prime Minister Brown on NI visit
(20 minutes later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is in Northern Ireland for the first time since taking over from Tony Blair.Prime Minister Gordon Brown is in Northern Ireland for the first time since taking over from Tony Blair.
He is meeting Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and the leaders of the devolved UK governments at a summit of the British-Irish Council at Stormont.He is meeting Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and the leaders of the devolved UK governments at a summit of the British-Irish Council at Stormont.
Before the meeting, Mr Brown said the financial package the government was providing Northern Ireland was fair. Before the meeting, Mr Brown said the the government was providing a fair package for Northern Ireland.
"The financial package is very big indeed - £51.5bn over the next few years," Mr Brown said."The financial package is very big indeed - £51.5bn over the next few years," Mr Brown said.
"It is to make possible the current expenditures of the Northern Ireland Assembly and to make possible a big programme of investment in the future.""It is to make possible the current expenditures of the Northern Ireland Assembly and to make possible a big programme of investment in the future."
He also said he was pleased devolution had returned to Northern Ireland.He also said he was pleased devolution had returned to Northern Ireland.
Bertie Ahern and Gordon Brown spoke to the press before the meeting
Mr Ahern said he looked forward to working with Mr Brown on the European agenda and co-operating with the UK on security and terrorism matters.Mr Ahern said he looked forward to working with Mr Brown on the European agenda and co-operating with the UK on security and terrorism matters.
Mr Brown called for greater cooperation across Europe in sharinginformation on suspected terrorists. Mr Brown called for greater cooperation across Europe in sharing information on suspected terrorists.
The BBC has learned Mr Brown is to have a separate meeting with the first and deputy first ministers and Finance Minister Peter Robinson on the issue of financial support for the executive.The BBC has learned Mr Brown is to have a separate meeting with the first and deputy first ministers and Finance Minister Peter Robinson on the issue of financial support for the executive.
Strategic transport links in Britain and Ireland will also be discussed.Strategic transport links in Britain and Ireland will also be discussed.
'Central role'
BBC NI politicial editor Mark Devenport said: "As chancellor, Mr Brown played a central role in the negotiations which paved the way towards the restoration of devolution.
"Those talks didn't produce as much as local politicians wanted. But they did lead to a delay in water charges.
"Today, executive ministers will renew their call for a peace dividend. They will also present a paper on strategic transport links throughout Britain and Ireland."
The council brings together eight governments representing Westminster, Dublin, devolved nations, the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man.The council brings together eight governments representing Westminster, Dublin, devolved nations, the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man.
On Tuesday, the North-South Ministerial Council meets in Armagh.On Tuesday, the North-South Ministerial Council meets in Armagh.
Ministers will focus on co-operation over a new roads programme and on reopening another section of the Ulster Canal linking Upper Lough Erne with the Shannon.Ministers will focus on co-operation over a new roads programme and on reopening another section of the Ulster Canal linking Upper Lough Erne with the Shannon.
The establishment of a North-South Parliamentary Forum is also on the agenda.The establishment of a North-South Parliamentary Forum is also on the agenda.
There will be coverage of Monday's meeting on Radio Ulster's Talkback programme and in Stormont Live on BBC 2 at 1200 BST - which will also be streamed online.There will be coverage of Monday's meeting on Radio Ulster's Talkback programme and in Stormont Live on BBC 2 at 1200 BST - which will also be streamed online.