Tony Blair is expected to announce economic regeneration plans for Northern Ireland worth billions of pounds when he visits Belfast tomorrow. The British Prime Minister will be accompanied by his Chancellor, Gordon Brown.
The proposals will include giving land near the Maze Prison outside Belfast and at Ebrington Army barracks in Derry to the North's Executive government. There will also be a provision for low interest loans to help fund investment in infrastructure.
The British government has mulled for months over a huge economic aid package for the North. The Taoiseach frequently discussed the possibilities with Mr Blair when they met on the margins of EU summits.
The SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, made it a priority to pursue the peace dividend when he took over as Deputy First Minister. He worked with First Minister David Trimble to advance the proposal.
Now Mr Blair intends to announce the package when he visits Belfast, reliable sources have confirmed. The visitors are likely to list planned additional health funding as part of a package.
