The British government needs to match the Irish Government's financial contribution to equip Northern Ireland's new power-sharing government with the resources it needs, Gerry Adams insisted tonight.
After meeting Prime Minister Tony Blair as part of preparations for devolved government on May 8th, the Sinn Fein leader said it was essential that there was sufficient financial support from the Treasury.
And he also revealed that Democratic Unionist leader the Rev Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness were planning to meet the European Union president in a bid to secure Brussels funds.
"A financial package is of crucial importance," he said. "Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley are engaging in the run-up to May 8ththrough the Office of First and Deputy First Minister with the Treasury, the European Union and the Irish Government.
"I would expect a further meeting between them and the Chancellor (of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown) before May 8th.
"The fact is we need proper resources because service charges are higher, the cost of living is higher and wages are lower and we are coming out of over 30 years of conflict and underinvestment in infrastructure. "We have a crazy situation where we are still arguing that the British Government has to match the contribution that the Irish Government is making.
"The European Union engagement is also important and I would expect Martin and Ian Paisley will meet Commission president (Jose Manuel) Barroso before May 8th."
The Chancellor initially offered Northern Ireland's incoming power-sharing executive £50 billion over the next 10 years and subsequently announced an additional £1 billion, which included Irish Government funding. Business and political leaders, however, have been disappointed with the offer, claiming there was little in the way of new money.
The Chancellor has also resisted calls for Northern Ireland to be given a Corporation Tax level equivalent to that in the Republic at 12.5 per cent, but has agreed to a review of economic incentives for a new administration. Mr Adams tonight confirmed he had also raised issues including the need to uncover the truth about security force collusion with loyalist paramilitaries, human rights and the Irish language.
The Sinn Fein president said he was pleased with the work being done by his colleague Martin McGuinness along with the Rev Ian Paisley in the preparation period for power sharing. "I suppose we are in a honeymoon period," the West Belfast MP said. "However, my view on this has always been on the record that once people dialogue, once people pro-actively listen to each other's point of view, that will be for the good of all people. "I wish them both well as they prepare for power sharing."