Northern Ireland parties request £2bn from David Cameron
NI Secretary Theresa Villiers reticent on whether Downing Street likely to accept plan
Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers: talks at a “crunch point”. Photograph: Arthur Allison
The North’s five main parties have asked British prime minister David Cameron for a £2 billion (€2.55 billion) financial package over 10 years to persuade them to reciprocate on issues such as parades, flags and the past.
Downing Street and British treasury advisers are considering the financial paper presented to the Northern Secretary Theresa Villiers by the Northern parties yesterday. The £2 billion is double what Mr Cameron put on the table in his and Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s abruptly ended visit to the Stormont talks last Friday week.