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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Unionists against joint economy | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Northern Ireland's two unionist parties have warned the British and Irish governments against going down the route of an all-island economy. | |
| The governments have announced a major cross-border initiative on economic co-operation. | |
| Since the St Andrews Agreement, there has been speculation they have been drawing up a multi-million pound package of investment. | |
| Both Sinn Fein and the SDLP have welcomed the plans. | |
| The initiative would see a major investment for infrastructure, healthcare and energy links. | |
| It follows speculation that the Republic plans to spend hundreds of millions of pounds on infrastructure projects in Northern Ireland. | It follows speculation that the Republic plans to spend hundreds of millions of pounds on infrastructure projects in Northern Ireland. |
| The governments believe "joined-up planning" will deliver better value for money and aid regional development. | |
| Upgrading | Upgrading |
| Specific projects are not mentioned, but it has been reported that the Irish government is planning to contribute up to £700m to a major spending package in Northern Ireland. | Specific projects are not mentioned, but it has been reported that the Irish government is planning to contribute up to £700m to a major spending package in Northern Ireland. |
| This may include upgrading the Londonderry to Aughnacloy Road, helping to provide radiotherapy facilities at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry and co-funding the construction of the new north-south electricity interconnector. | This may include upgrading the Londonderry to Aughnacloy Road, helping to provide radiotherapy facilities at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry and co-funding the construction of the new north-south electricity interconnector. |
| All of these projects would have benefits for residents in the Republic, as well those in the north. | All of these projects would have benefits for residents in the Republic, as well those in the north. |
| At St Andrews, the prime minister and taoiseach told the parties that both governments would ensure that a new Stormont executive would be given the capacity to provide quality public service and make long-term capital investments. | At St Andrews, the prime minister and taoiseach told the parties that both governments would ensure that a new Stormont executive would be given the capacity to provide quality public service and make long-term capital investments. |
| The initiative was welcomed by SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell who said unionists should "have nothing to fear from the announcement". | |
| "This puts the flesh on the bones of our north-south agenda, which we have been running with for some time," he said. | "This puts the flesh on the bones of our north-south agenda, which we have been running with for some time," he said. |
| "It is absolutely nonsensical that there should be an economic boom in Dublin and 100 miles away in Belfast there is economic stagnation." | "It is absolutely nonsensical that there should be an economic boom in Dublin and 100 miles away in Belfast there is economic stagnation." |
| However, both the Democratic Unionists and the Ulster Unionists have warned against any move which would see Northern Ireland's economy dominated by the Republic's. | |
| Gregory Campbell said the DUP would not accept an all-Ireland economy | |
| DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said: "What we will be saying to Dublin is that if your understanding of this arrangement is that this money is designed to build up an all-Ireland economy we are not going there." | |
| "But what we will do is work with you in developing the concept of two adjoining countries who want to build up the structures of both countries." | |
| Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy said the cross-border plan was an attempt to transform Northern Ireland into an economic colony of the Irish Republic. | |
| "While some of the infrastructure proposals have merit, we would reject the proposal as a whole as it runs against the very ideal of a vibrant, confident Northern Ireland within the union," he added. |