To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings have taken place between senior officials in the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Treasury regarding the Chancellor’s Financial Package for Northern Ireland; what issues were discussed; and whether further meetings are planned. (102605)

As part of normal business, there is regular contact, in the form of meetings and other communications, between senior officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel and HM Treasury. In recent weeks these contacts have included discussion of issues relevant to the content of a financial package in the context of restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland as envisaged in the St. Andrews Agreement and following the Chancellor’s announcement on 1 November. I anticipate that officials will continue to have contact with HM Treasury on this matter.