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-politics-33230923

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
McGuinness says Sinn Féin will give 'conditional support' to new budget bill Sinn Féin giving 'conditional support' to budget bill, McGuinness says
(35 minutes later)
The deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said Sinn Féin will be backing Finance Minister Arlene Foster's new budget bill. Martin McGuinness has said Sinn Féin will be backing Finance Minister Arlene Foster's new budget bill.
He said: "In the context of the present situation in relation to the budget, we will be giving conditional support to this budget bill."He said: "In the context of the present situation in relation to the budget, we will be giving conditional support to this budget bill."
He said he hoped the move would "create space for a resolution" to be found on the dispute over welfare reform. The move would "create space which hopefully will see a resolution" on the dispute over welfare reform, he added.
Mr McGuinness was speaking ahead of the debate on the Budget Number 2 Bill. Mr McGuinness was speaking ahead of Monday's assembly debate and vote on the Budget Number 2 Bill.
It has been described as a fantasy budget as it was drawn up on the basis that welfare reform has already been agreed. The bill has been described as a fantasy budget as it was drawn up on the basis that welfare reform - which Sinn Féin and the SDLP have opposed - has already been agreed.
Last week, the Stormont finance committee unanimously agreed to grant accelerated passage to the bill. Last week, the Stormont finance committee granted accelerated passage to the bill.
That would allow it to become law by the end of July.That would allow it to become law by the end of July.
The announcement means the executive will get more time to discuss the welfare reform crisis, at least until the autumn. Sinn Féin's backing for the bill means the executive will get more time to discuss the welfare reform crisis, at least until the autumn.