NI Needs 'More Than Survival' Says Cameron

The Prime Minister has called for Stormont politicians to work towards creating a peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland

Speaking at Stormont Castle in Belfast today, Mr Cameron highlighted the State Visit by Her Majesty the Queen to the Republic of Ireland as an example of the progress made.

"Politics here is now more stable than for over a generation," he said, "but as the institutions mature, people will look for more than survival."

Mr Cameron said major work was needed to secure economic growth, but also to remove barriers to creating a shared future, not one divided by sectarianism and on economic matters.

During his visit to Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister, joined by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Paterson, also held meetings with First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

The PM (pictured centre, with Mr McGuinness and Mr Robinson, right) said that, like the rest of the country, Northern Ireland needed to be realistic about the economic challenges faced by the UK.

"Like you, the Government is looking at new ways to revive the private sector and turning Northern Ireland into a dynamic, prosperous enterprise-led economy for the 21st century."

Following the talks, Mr Cameron said: "We were talking about the issues of a shared future for everyone in Northern Ireland, the importance of improving health care and education and making sure our economy grows, making sure there are job opportunities and making sure everyone can share in the success we all want to see in Northern Ireland."

However, a statement from No 10 Downing Street didn't expand on the details, such as on the anticipated evolution of corporation tax rate setting to Stormont.

Propaganda

Not everyone is happy with the visit however, as the General Secretary of the dissident republican group, éirígí, Breandán MacCionnaith branded today's visit by David Cameron to the 'Six Counties' as nothing more than propaganda stunt for his Government's 'anti-social agenda'.

MacCionnaith said: "David Cameron's flying visit to his Irish colony is nothing more than a propaganda stunt for his anti-social cuts agenda and the program of pacifying the North.

"That he will address an Assembly of pliant local politicians is indicative of the fact that the Stormont administration is completely wedded to the Tory anti-social economic agenda and is willing to act as its Irish enforcer," he fumed.

See: Treasury Chief 'Taxed' By Number Ten Talks

(BMcC/GK)