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DUP-Tory deal secures extra spending in Northern Ireland DUP-Tory deal secures extra spending in Northern Ireland
(35 minutes later)
A deal between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) includes an extra £1bn in public spending for Northern Ireland.A deal between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) includes an extra £1bn in public spending for Northern Ireland.
DUP leader Arlene Foster said she was "delighted" with the package, which is part of an agreement to prop up Theresa May's minority government.DUP leader Arlene Foster said she was "delighted" with the package, which is part of an agreement to prop up Theresa May's minority government.
The PM sought the DUP's support after losing her majority in the election.The PM sought the DUP's support after losing her majority in the election.
Sinn Féin said the deal was a "blank cheque for a Tory Brexit" but any money coming to NI was a "good thing".Sinn Féin said the deal was a "blank cheque for a Tory Brexit" but any money coming to NI was a "good thing".
Under the "supply and confidence" arrangement, the DUP guarantees that its 10 MPs will vote with the government on the Queen's Speech, the Budget, and legislation relating to Brexit and national security.Under the "supply and confidence" arrangement, the DUP guarantees that its 10 MPs will vote with the government on the Queen's Speech, the Budget, and legislation relating to Brexit and national security.
Once the deal was signed in Downing Street, Mrs Foster returned to Northern Ireland, where talks to restore the power-sharing executive continue.Once the deal was signed in Downing Street, Mrs Foster returned to Northern Ireland, where talks to restore the power-sharing executive continue.
Northern Ireland has been without a devolved government since March and parties have until Thursday to find agreement on a range of issues. Northern Ireland has been without a devolved government since March and parties have until Thursday to find agreement on a range of issues, including the Irish language and how to deal with legacy cases from the Troubles.
'Resolutely oppose''Resolutely oppose'
At the Westminster level, talks between the Conservatives and the DUP began shortly after the general election on 8 June but it took longer than expected to finalise a deal.At the Westminster level, talks between the Conservatives and the DUP began shortly after the general election on 8 June but it took longer than expected to finalise a deal.
As well as the financial commitments, the two parties have agreed:As well as the financial commitments, the two parties have agreed:
Sinn Féin has previously refused to support implementing the military covenant in Northern Ireland. Following the deal, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams pledged to "resolutely oppose" any preferential treatment for British soldiers "either in terms of legacy or the provision of public services".
Following the deal, party president Gerry Adams said: "Sinn Féin will resolutely oppose any attempt to give preferential treatment to British forces, either in terms of legacy or the provision of public services".
In a letter outlining the deal to Conservative MPs, Mrs May said both the DUP and the Tories "agree the need for additional financial support for Northern Ireland and jointly desire that this will play a positive role in the efforts to re-establish devolved government".In a letter outlining the deal to Conservative MPs, Mrs May said both the DUP and the Tories "agree the need for additional financial support for Northern Ireland and jointly desire that this will play a positive role in the efforts to re-establish devolved government".
'Boost the economy' Speaking outside No 10, Mrs Foster said the details of the agreement would "boost the economy and invest in new infrastructure as well as investing in the future of our health and education sectors".
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Mrs Foster said the details of the agreement would "boost the economy and invest in new infrastructure as well as investing in the future of our health and education sectors".
Where will the money go?Where will the money go?
Read more analysis from BBC News NI Business Editor John Campbell Read more analysis from BBC News NI business editor John Campbell
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said it was critical the money was "targeted at areas of need, not the parochial priorities of one political party".SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said it was critical the money was "targeted at areas of need, not the parochial priorities of one political party".
He said the deal should prioritise "building the A5 and A6, using city deals to further the expansion of Magee University at Magee and bespoke investment across the north and an immediate end to regional investment disparities". Stephen Farry, from the Alliance Party, described the agreement as "significant", provided any new money was spent "wisely and strategically".
Alliance MLA Stephen Farry described the agreement as "significant", provided any new money was spent "wisely and strategically".
"The process around which the money and allocations have been determined has not been and open and transparent one," he added.
Mr Adams said the price of the deal was "DUP support for continued Tory austerity and cuts to public services".Mr Adams said the price of the deal was "DUP support for continued Tory austerity and cuts to public services".
"The allocation of additional funds could help to ease the enormous pressure on our public services," he added. "The devil is in the detail.""The allocation of additional funds could help to ease the enormous pressure on our public services," he added. "The devil is in the detail."
The agreement has also been criticised by politicians in England, Scotland and Wales, who argue spending in Northern Ireland should be matched in other parts of the UK. The agreement has been criticised by politicians in England, Scotland and Wales, who argue spending in Northern Ireland should be matched in other parts of the UK.
Money distributed to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is controlled by the Barnett Formula, which dictates the allocation of funding from Westminster according to population size and what powers are devolved to each nation.Money distributed to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is controlled by the Barnett Formula, which dictates the allocation of funding from Westminster according to population size and what powers are devolved to each nation.
'Outrageous' 'Unique circumstances'
Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said the Tory-DUP deal is "clearly not in the national interest" but was designed to help the prime minister "cling to power." Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said the deal was "clearly not in the national interest" but was designed to help the prime minister "cling to power."
"The government must immediately answer two questions," Mr Corbyn said."The government must immediately answer two questions," Mr Corbyn said.
"Where is the money for the Tory-DUP deal coming from? And, will all parts of the UK receive the much needed additional funding that Northern Ireland will get as part of the deal?""Where is the money for the Tory-DUP deal coming from? And, will all parts of the UK receive the much needed additional funding that Northern Ireland will get as part of the deal?"
The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney said the deal between the Conservative Party and the DUP was "primarily a matter for those two parties". Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, suggested the agreement could help Stormont - Northern Ireland's government - negotiate a better deal when the UK leaves the EU.
However, he noted that the agreement "provides for DUP support for British government legislation on Brexit" and suggested that could help Stormont negotiate a better deal when the UK leaves the EU.
"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," Mr Coveney said."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," Mr Coveney said.
Analysis: Marie-Louise Connolly, BBC News NI health correspondentAnalysis: Marie-Louise Connolly, BBC News NI health correspondent
Northern Ireland's health service is a big winner from the DUP-Conservatives deal - it will receive about £300m that will allow the service some breathing space.Northern Ireland's health service is a big winner from the DUP-Conservatives deal - it will receive about £300m that will allow the service some breathing space.
Many will argue that it is just a sticking plaster that will not go far enough to see the transformation that is required.Many will argue that it is just a sticking plaster that will not go far enough to see the transformation that is required.
The UK government is to allocate £50m per year for two years to enable the executive to address immediate pressures in health and education.The UK government is to allocate £50m per year for two years to enable the executive to address immediate pressures in health and education.
While £50m may sound a lot, in practice that amount of money could be spent very quickly trying to tackle the thousands of people on hospital waiting lists While £50m may sound a lot, in practice that amount of money could be spent very quickly trying to tackle the thousands of people on hospital waiting lists.
On top of that, £100m per year will be allocated for two years towards transforming the local health service - this will go someway in helping to deliver the recommendations set out in the Bengoa health review and the Department of Health's subsequent 10-year plan.On top of that, £100m per year will be allocated for two years towards transforming the local health service - this will go someway in helping to deliver the recommendations set out in the Bengoa health review and the Department of Health's subsequent 10-year plan.
The big surprise is the money allocated to tackling mental health: £10m per year for five years.The big surprise is the money allocated to tackling mental health: £10m per year for five years.
Health professionals will welcome this additional funding in an area with a spiralling problem of its own in terms of waiting lists. Concerns have been raised that the DUP-Tory deal could undermine the peace process and devolution negotiations, as a government dependent on the support of the DUP could not be impartial in its Northern Ireland policies.
However, Conservative MP and First Secretary of State Damian Green said the deal made it "more likely" that devolved government would be restored in Northern Ireland, with the funding going to all communities.
Stormont parties have been warned that if they cannot reach agreement on restoring the government, direct rule from Westminster could follow.
Northern Ireland's institutions collapsed amid a bitter row between the DUP and Sinn Féin about a botched green energy scheme.Northern Ireland's institutions collapsed amid a bitter row between the DUP and Sinn Féin about a botched green energy scheme.
The late deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, stood down in protest over the DUP's handling of an investigation into the energy scandal, in a move that triggered a snap election. The late deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, stood down in protest over the DUP's handling of an investigation into the energy scandal, in a move that triggered a snap election in March.
Stormont parties have been warned that if they cannot reach agreement on restoring the Northern Ireland's power-sharing government, direct rule from Westminster could follow.
Mr Eastwood said it was time to "stop playing games" and form an "inclusive executive" to make sure the £1bn was "spent properly for all our benefit".
Robin Swann, Ulster Unionist Party leader, said the ball was in Sinn Féin's court now the terms and conditions of the DUP-Conservative pact were known.
'Conservative and Unionist Party'
Parties had raised concerns that the DUP-Tory deal could undermine devolution negotiations, arguing a government dependent on the support of the DUP could not be impartial its Northern Ireland policies.
However, Conservative MP and First Secretary of State, Damian Green, denied that the deal could put Stormont's future at risk.
He repeated a previous comment made by Mrs May that "the Conservative Party's full title has traditionally been the Conservative and Unionist Party".
"But what we say is that absolutely we continue to be committed to the notion of consent in Northern Ireland; it is for the people of Northern Ireland to decide on their own governance structure."