Northern Ireland parties offered $143b carrot

LONDON - Britain held out the prospect of at least £50 billion ($143.84 billion) in funding for Northern Ireland over the next decade if its leaders agree to revive self rule in the province.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain briefed members of Northern Ireland political parties on the financial package in talks in London.

The package supports a plan put forward at talks in St Andrews, Scotland, last month for restoring a Northern Ireland Assembly suspended since 2002. The Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein must accept or reject the Government's plan by November 10.

The Government said it would commit to at least £35 billion of funding over the next four years. Funding would rise from £8 billion a year at present to £9.2 billion in the 2010-2011 year. The Government said it would also commit to an £18 billion capital investment strategy to 2017 if a new executive is installed.

- REUTERS