NORTH:THE FINANCIAL secretary to the UK treasury will meet the Northern Ireland enterprise and finance Ministers today to discuss the implications of any British loan to Ireland.
Mark Hoban, the financial secretary to the UK treasury, and Northern Secretary Owen Paterson will host the joint meeting with Arlene Foster and Sammy Wilson at Stormont.
Ms Foster said that together with Mr Wilson she would be seeking assurances from the treasury in London that any loan agreed between the UK and Ireland would contain certain “conditions” that reflect the particular needs of Northern Ireland.
Ms Foster said one of the issues she would raise reflects her concerns surrounding the availability of finance for bank customers in Northern Ireland with both Mr Paterson and the UK treasury.
She also said there were concerns about jobs in the financial sector in Northern Ireland that were dependent on Irish-owned banks.
If “a loan is going from treasury to the Republic of Ireland,” then it should reflect these concerns and ensure that the North is “protected from any adverse impact that may occur from the Republic of Ireland”, she said.
Ms Foster said it is clear that “what happens in the Republic of Ireland does have an impact on us here in Northern Ireland”.
Any financial assistance provided by the British government should be mindful of that, Ms Foster added.
Her Executive colleague, SDLP Minister for Social Development Alex Attwood warned the Assembly yesterday he would oppose proposed cuts in housing allowance to those who were on benefit and seeking work.
The cuts were announced in the review of spending outlined by chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne last month.
However, Mr Attwood was criticised by unionists who accused him of potentially undermining the entire benefits system and the parity of rates with Britain.
DUP spokesman Simon Hamilton warned that to breach the current system and maintain benefit levels could imperil welfare provision in Northern Ireland, funded by London, leaving Stormont with the £3 billion (€3.54 billion) bill.