Barroso declares 1Bn euro aid for NI

EC President Manuel Barroso has met with the future first and deputy first minister today to give his backing to a devolved government.

He also declared plans for over 1 billion euro to be released to Northern Ireland between 2007 and 2013. Jose Manuel Barroso made the announcement after meeting Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, as well as Secretary of State Peter Hain and Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern.

Mr Barroso said: "We will set up a taskforce in the commission to help finalise the programming of European Union funds so Northern Ireland can benefit from the experience across the EU in creating growth, jobs, innovation and opportunity."

Mr Barroso, was making the visit on his way back from an EU-US summit in the United States.

Speaking after he met with Mr Hain and Mr Ahern, the former Portuguese Prime Minister, said he would be supportive of Northern Ireland’s political development.

"I want to offer my personal commitment and support to the re-establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive.

"I want to pay tribute to the courage that you have both shown and I also want to acknowledge the role that the British and Irish Governments and all parties involved have played."

His visit follows a series of European funding initiatives which have contributed millions of pounds to cross-border development.

(JM/SP)