Downing Street Says » Northern Ireland

Asked for an update on where things were with the 26th March deadline, the PMOS said yesterday’s meeting with the DUP was important because no one now was under any illusion whatsoever that Monday was "it". That was the basis on which the election was called and that was the basis on which people voted and all the evidence showed that people fully understood that.

Secondly, that means that people have a choice. Either on Monday we will have Ministers nominated and an Executive meeting on Tuesday, or, the Assembly will be dissolved. That is the reality. That is the choice people have. Clearly people have genuine concerns about how do you immediately go into Government given the time lapse and preparations and so on but they will be spoken to.

In terms of where we go from here. Today you have the meeting with the Chancellor about the financial package. There will then be party meetings by the DUP, which come to a head on Saturday afternoon, let us see where we are by then. In terms of the Prime Minister’s involvement he has always remains involved on a day-by-day, hour-by-hour basis. In terms of plans to go to Northern Ireland there are no plans at this stage.

Asked if there would be a shadow assembly or shadow Exeutive, the PMOS said that a shadow assembly was not allowed for under legislation. The legislation says that what has to happen is that ministers are nominated and then the Executive has to meet. What happens after that is a matter for the Executive. There are common sense concerns about starting Government, straight away, but in terms of the legal necessity it is to nominate ministers, including first and deputy first minister and to hold an Executive meeting.

Asked what the deadline actually was, the PMOS confirmed that 00.01 Tuesday 27th March would be when devolution happens.

Asked about the financial package that was being discussed today, the PMOS said that there would be genuine extra money from the British and Irish Governments but that the Chancellor would set out the package.

Asked if Peter Hain would be involved in the Northern Ireland talks, the PMOS said that Peter Hain would be in Northern Ireland on Monday.

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» Thursday, March 22, 2007

Northern Ireland

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