David Cameron is prepared to improve a financial aid package for Northern Ireland if the local parties secure an agreement on issues hanging over from the peace process, the region’s first minister has claimed.
Peter Robinson hinted at extra fiscal support for the power-sharing executive after meeting the prime minister in Downing Street. Northern Ireland’s first minister said on Monday it was up to those in the five-party coalition in Belfast to reach a deal.
The parties will resume talks on Tuesday aimed at solving problems including a banned Orange Order march in north Belfast to the creation of a system to deal with the Troubles, especially the unsolved crimes from the conflict.
Martin McGuinness, the Sinn Féin deputy first minister, said all five parties were “singing off the same hymn sheet” despite failing yet to reach an agreement. He insisted that unless a deal on outstanding issues that also include welfare reforms as well as contentious questions such as how to deal with the past was made in the coming days, the chances of a deal after Christmas were very remote.
Labour’s Northern Ireland spokesman, Ivan Lewis, meanwhile warned that Christmas would be the season of “mistrust and political failure” if there was no consensus on issues plaguing the power-sharing government in Belfast.
Theresa Villiers, the Northern Ireland secretary, has called on the parties to secure an agreement before Christmas. She has also warned that a government offer to the power-sharing executive at Stormont to allow the parties to set a lower corporation tax amid fears that the region could be in danger if the discussions fail.
The devolved government will be allowed to set a regional corporation tax only if they can reach an overarching agreement on parades, flags and the past.
These three key issues have been politically toxic and, in the case of contentious marches and the flag issue, have resulted in violent street disorder, mainly in Greater Belfast, over the past three years.
