NI politicians seek Westminster cash
Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson visit Gordon Brown in Downing Street
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Wednesday, 19, Nov 2008 05:25
Northern Ireland's first minister Martin McGuiness is visiting Downing Street today to ask for financial support from the British government.
He is seeking funding to boost the province's water and sewerage infrastructure after yesterday's historic agreement ending deadlock between Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist party.
Deputy first minister Peter Robinson was also present for the talks in Downing Street, in which he and his coalition partner will ask Gordon Brown for financial backing.
"We have come here today to talk to the British prime minister about the serious financial burdens that have been imposed upon the people we represent," Mr McGuinness told journalists camped outside No 10.
He pointed out the infrastructure problems, "unequal pay for civil servants" and other problems had been "the responsibility of British direct rule ministers" but added he was now seeking additional funding.
"There has been a legacy of neglect in relation to underfunding of our services; we'll see what the result is," he added.
The Northern Ireland executive will meet for the first time in five months tomorrow following the ending of deadlock over devolution of policing and justice powers to the province.
Mr McGuinness added: "Our job now as politicians is to get on with the work of government to deliver for the people who we represent."