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Over to Gordon

• Mark Devenport
• 14 Mar 07, 12:13 PM

Northern Ireland Questions in the Commons has just finished. The most striking image was a picture of Gordon Brown listening politely to the DUP's demands for what Mark Durkan called "financial lubrication". The Tories raised Michelle Gildernew's comments on political policing. Although the DUP talked about the need for Sinn Fein to deliver their emphasis seemed to be much more on the Treasury than the Army Council.

Peter Hain jousted with David Lidington over what he portrayed as the Conservatives' parlous performance, claiming they had only just pipped Rainbow George. The Tory spokesman pointed out that at least his party had not been scared to stand candidates.

Almost whatever topic was raised the NIO team batted it back by arguing that the future would be rosier under devolution. Affordable housing, tourism, the dairy industry - even the cows will produce more milk apparently if Stormont is restored.

Definitely the liveliest moment, though, was Andrew Mackinlay's denunciation of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Office in Dublin's Nassau Street. The Labour backbenchers reckons the NITB office is less attractive than the average funeral parlour. Presumably the NIO will argue that it will look much better should there be a deal on March 26th.

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