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#DUPCoalition: £100 million per MP in deal to keep Conservatives in government

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DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds, DUP Leader Arlene Foster, DUP Jeffrey Donaldson with Chief Whip Gavin Williamson, Prime Minister Theresa May with Secretary of State Damian Green

The Northern Ireland Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has reached an agreement with the British Conservative Party on a confidence and supply agreement which will secure a majority for Theresa May’s weakened government, writes Catherine Feore.

The deal will allow added flexibility in £500m already committed to Northern Ireland and will bring an additional £1billion in spending to boost the region's economy and invest in new infrastructure, health, education and other sectors. The money will be spread over two year which overlaps with the UK’s negotiations for withdrawal from the EU.

Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU Referendum by a majority of 56% to 44%. The DUP were the only major party in the region that supported a ‘Leave’ vote.

Politicians in the UK, Ireland and Northern Ireland have raised concerns about the UK government’s commitment to ‘rigorous impartiality’ under the Good Friday Agreement should it have to depend on DUP votes.

The EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiatior Michel Barnier, supported by the 27 EU governments have made border arrangements between Southern and Northern Ireland and the peace process at the hear of the negotiations. He said that the EU-27 were “very clear that the Good Friday Agreement must be respected in all its dimensions.”

The important dimension of impartiality may now be at risk. Northern Ireland is meant to re-establish its power-sharing government by 29 June. While the new funds will be welcomed the UK’s dependency on DUP votes, could destabilise the region.

As the annual 12 July festivities approach this could lead to conflict.

Last week the Office for National Statistic published figures for country and regional public sector finances for the year ending March 2016. The figures showed that Norther Ireland had a new fiscal deficit per person of £5,440, the highest in the UK. Today's decision will exacerbate that deficit and is likely to cause resentment in the UK's other nations and poorer regions.

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