DUP And Conservatives Sign £1bn Deal

The Conservatives and the DUP have reached an agreement.

According to reports, £1billion in 'new' money has been earmarked for Northern Ireland.

The DUP's 10 MPs will support the Conservatives beginning with the Queen's Speech on Thursday, 29 June.

The deal, which is expected to be a 'confident and supply' arrangement, was signed in Downing Street today, 26 June.

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: "The public will not be DUPed by this shoddy little deal. The nasty party is back, propped up by the DUP."

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD said: "I am in Belfast today to assist in the talks aimed at restoring the devolved institutions. A functioning Executive and Assembly is in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland. That is my focus and that of the Irish Government.

"The content of the confidence and supply agreement between the Conservative Party and the DUP is primarily a matter for those two parties. I note that the agreement provides for DUP support for British government legislation on Brexit. An enhanced Northern Ireland voice articulating an agreed devolved government position could see more effective and inclusive representation of the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland at Westminster.

"Inevitably, some of the policy agreement between both parties reflects their long held views. However, I welcome both parties recommitment to the Good Friday Agreement and its successors, and the commitment by the British Government to govern in the interests of all parts of the community in Northern Ireland."

Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry said there needed to be caution expressed around the contents of the deal.

He said: "Any additional resources for Northern Ireland must be welcomed, particularly in the short-term. But while we must be mindful of the detail and implications of what has been made public today, we must also be vigilant around any side deals which may have also been struck.

"Any extra money cannot be simply used to plug the financial gaps we have. Instead this windfall must be used to drive reform of public services to make them more sustainable. However, the mention of previously agreed funding for shared education and housing to be dispersed flexibly is not a good sign.

"In terms of our economy, it must be recognised the single biggest economic difficulty facing Northern Ireland is uncertainty over our future relationship with the EU. In particular, our doubtful future participation in both the customs union and single market means commitments around corporation tax and air passenger duty can only have a limited benefit unless the deeper issue is satisfactorily resolved.

"The deal makes clear there will be ongoing 'co-ordination' meetings between the DUP and Conservatives. That does raise inevitable political implications, especially as the DUP are committed to delivering the narrow Tory version of Brexit. That will now make the obtainment of a special deal for Northern Ireland more difficult."

(CD)