This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30422308

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
NI talks: Theresa Villiers says there is no 'big cheque' NI talks: David Cameron says people want politicians to deliver
(about 1 hour later)
There can be "no big cheque" to solve Northern Ireland's problems, the secretary of state has said. The people of Northern Ireland want to see their politicians deliver, the prime minister has said.
Theresa Villiers was speaking shortly before the prime minister was due to enter political talks in Belfast. David Cameron said he was "always an optimist" and remained so as he prepared to join cross-party talks at Stormont House in Belfast.
David Cameron has said he is determined to do everything he can to secure agreement in the cross-party talks in Northern Ireland. He and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny are hoping to secure agreement in the talks concerning disputes on flags, parades, the past and welfare reform.
The talks concern disputes on flags, parades, the past and welfare reform. Mr Cameron said he hoped an agreement could be reached.
Mr Cameron and Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny are both due to take part in talks to broker a solution. Speaking before he went into the talks on Thursday afteroon, Mr Cameron said: "I think everyone in Northern Ireland wants the same thing; an economy that grows; politics that work and a society that gets stronger."
The prime minister said "huge progress" had been made in recent years.
But he said politicians had to show that they could resolve the issues.
"The people outside that room - they are the people who matter and they want to see their politicians deliver," he said.
"I hope agreement can be reached and that is why I am here today."
The Irish prime minister said he understood the mood at the talks was good and progress had been made.
Speaking as he went into the talks room at Stormont, Mr Kenny said: "We look forward to fruitful discussion."
Earlier, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said there could be "no big cheque" to solve Northern Ireland's problems.
Speaking ahead of the prime minsters' arrival, Ms Villiers said resolutions needed to be found, but there was no promise of money.Speaking ahead of the prime minsters' arrival, Ms Villiers said resolutions needed to be found, but there was no promise of money.
"These issues are causing real tension and hindering the effectiveness of the devolved executive," she said."These issues are causing real tension and hindering the effectiveness of the devolved executive," she said.
"But the solution to the problems of Northern Ireland cannot be a big cheque from the Exchequer, that money is not there.""But the solution to the problems of Northern Ireland cannot be a big cheque from the Exchequer, that money is not there."
The Stormont parties have been talking about the possibility of a new Peace Investment Fund worth hundreds of millions of pounds.The Stormont parties have been talking about the possibility of a new Peace Investment Fund worth hundreds of millions of pounds.
Ms Villiers said the UK government had inherited the biggest deficit in the developed world so it was no longer possible to throw money at a problem to try to resolve it .Ms Villiers said the UK government had inherited the biggest deficit in the developed world so it was no longer possible to throw money at a problem to try to resolve it .
She also said it was important to make progress on sensitive matters because it would become much more difficult to resolve them closer to a general election.She also said it was important to make progress on sensitive matters because it would become much more difficult to resolve them closer to a general election.
She said addressing budgetary issues was important in order to stop "increasing chaos".She said addressing budgetary issues was important in order to stop "increasing chaos".
The Northern Ireland Secretary said addressing community division would "choke off" any terrorist support and "make life harder for the small minority who want to pursue aims by terrorist means." The Northern Ireland secretary said addressing community division would "choke off" any terrorist support and "make life harder for the small minority who want to pursue aims by terrorist means."
Writing in Thursday's Belfast Telegraph, Mr Cameron said both he and Mr Kenny would be "pushing hard" to bring the talks to a successful conclusion.Writing in Thursday's Belfast Telegraph, Mr Cameron said both he and Mr Kenny would be "pushing hard" to bring the talks to a successful conclusion.
"This week I am in Northern Ireland to participate directly in the cross-party talks that are now in their ninth week at Stormont," Mr Cameron said."This week I am in Northern Ireland to participate directly in the cross-party talks that are now in their ninth week at Stormont," Mr Cameron said.
"These talks have reached a crucial phase. As prime minister I am determined to do everything I can to help resolve outstanding issues and secure agreement across a range of vitally important issues."These talks have reached a crucial phase. As prime minister I am determined to do everything I can to help resolve outstanding issues and secure agreement across a range of vitally important issues.
"I know that An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, fully shares that strong commitment."I know that An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, fully shares that strong commitment.
"That is why the UK government, along with our very close colleagues in the Irish government, will be pushing hard to bring these discussions to a successful conclusion this week. I am confident, too, that Northern Ireland's political leaders share a genuine desire to reach an agreement.""That is why the UK government, along with our very close colleagues in the Irish government, will be pushing hard to bring these discussions to a successful conclusion this week. I am confident, too, that Northern Ireland's political leaders share a genuine desire to reach an agreement."
Analysis: Mark Devenport BBC NI News political editorAnalysis: Mark Devenport BBC NI News political editor
Prime ministers used to be regular participants in Northern Ireland talks, but David Cameron has tended to leave the oversight of the political process here to his secretaries of state.Prime ministers used to be regular participants in Northern Ireland talks, but David Cameron has tended to leave the oversight of the political process here to his secretaries of state.
So his arrival at the negotiating table is proof that the stakes are high.So his arrival at the negotiating table is proof that the stakes are high.
Writing in the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Cameron acknowledges that the issues to be dealt with from finance to the legacy of the Troubles are difficult.Writing in the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Cameron acknowledges that the issues to be dealt with from finance to the legacy of the Troubles are difficult.
But he says the time has arrived for the Stormont politicians and the British and Irish governments to step up to the plate.But he says the time has arrived for the Stormont politicians and the British and Irish governments to step up to the plate.
Mr Cameron has discussed the outstanding problems in a phone call with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny.Mr Cameron has discussed the outstanding problems in a phone call with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny.
Mr Kenny said he believes that with renewed effort a deal can be reached which will offer a better future.Mr Kenny said he believes that with renewed effort a deal can be reached which will offer a better future.
The Irish minister for foreign affairs, Charlie Flanagan, has halted his involvement in a state visit to China by Irish president Michael D Higgins, to attend the talks.The Irish minister for foreign affairs, Charlie Flanagan, has halted his involvement in a state visit to China by Irish president Michael D Higgins, to attend the talks.
Mr Flanagan and Ms Villiers have been hosting a series of meetings over the past two months on the key issues.Mr Flanagan and Ms Villiers have been hosting a series of meetings over the past two months on the key issues.
It is understood a document of proposals has now been given to the political parties.It is understood a document of proposals has now been given to the political parties.
Chancellor George Osborne has said devolving corporation tax powers to Stormont would depend on the outcome of the talks.
Unlike the rest of the UK, reductions to the welfare budget have not been implemented in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin is opposed to introducing the cuts, while the DUP says that the consequent reduction in Northern Ireland's block grant means that there is no choice. The shortfall is estimated at £200m.
A previous effort to find new mechanisms to deal with the issues of flags, parades, and the legacy of the Troubles ended without agreement last Christmas.A previous effort to find new mechanisms to deal with the issues of flags, parades, and the legacy of the Troubles ended without agreement last Christmas.
Shadow Secretary of State Ivan Lewis welcomed the prime minister's visit to Belfast for the talks.
"Another failure to reach agreement will not only risk the stability of Northern Ireland's political institutions, it will further damage public confidence in Northern Ireland's political leadership," he said.