THE NORTHERN Executive finally returned to work yesterday armed with a £900 million (€1,125 million) financial deal from British prime minister Gordon Brown designed to ease the economic burden and to stimulate economic growth.
Mr Brown has allowed the Executive extra spending of almost £900 million over the next two years so that measures such as the deferment of water charges and the removal of prescription fees can be implemented, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness said last night.
A deal thrashed out between Sinn Féin and the DUP on policing and justice which was concluded on Tuesday ended the five-week standoff between the two parties, allowing the Executive to meet for the first time since June 19th. Mr Brown only provided for the extra financial support after the deal was done.
Mr McGuinness, who used his Deputy First Ministerial veto to block the Executive from convening, yesterday pledged that the Executive would now be able to work without "further interruptions".
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister were joined by most DUP and Sinn Féin Ministers at teatime for a press conference outside Stormont Castle after the Executive meeting concluded after almost four hours.
DUP and Sinn Féin Ministers were anxious to emphasise that normal business had resumed. The Executive will meet on a weekly rather than the normal fortnightly basis until the huge backlog of work is brought up to date, while the Assembly has been requested to defer its winter recess until closer to Christmas.
Water charges have been postponed for a second year, which will mean average annual savings of £160 (€200) to householders, according to DUP Finance Minister Nigel Dodds. The Executive also authorised the removal of prescription charges which was earlier proposed by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey.
The £900 million freed up by Mr Brown also will be used to settle an equal pay bill of £200 million in back pay due to lower-paid, mainly women, civil servants, the majority of whom are Catholics.
Controversial planning laws known as PPS 14 (Planning Policy Statement 14) are being eased, which will remove some of the restrictions on building homes in rural areas. "This should be a boost to local construction workers," said Mr McGuinness.
The initial Executive focus will be on economic issues rather than the matters which had caused the lengthy standoff, such as policing and justice, the Irish language, use of the Maze prison site, and an agreed replacement for the Eleven Plus educational transfer test from primary to second level.
"We are down to business and people will judge by the results of the meetings that follow the extent to which that is good business," said Mr Robinson.
Mr McGuinness added: "I don't have any doubt whatsoever about Peter Robinson as First Minister, and my own commitment - to ensuring that we continue on in a fashion that sees no further interruptions. This is the work of government. This is what we are charged to do by the people, and we intend to deliver."
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness spoke of their commitment to making the Executive work in future.
Next month Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness are expected to travel to the US for the Fortune 500 business forum in an effort to attract investment and to build on the US-Northern Ireland investment conference held in Belfast earlier in the year.
Ulster Unionist Ministers Sir Reg Empey and Mr McGimpsey did not join the press conference, while SDLP Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie issued a statement saying next week's Executive would address issues such as alleviating fuel poverty.
