Donaldson says DUP is close to finalising deal with Conservatives

A senior Democratic Unionist MP has said the chances of his party reaching a deal with the Conservatives to prop up Theresa May’s minority government are “very good”.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP chief whip at Westminster, confirmed the party was seeking extra funding for Northern Ireland as part of the agreement.

“A deeper level of engagement has occurred in the last 24 hours, we’ve begun to crunch down on the outstanding issues”.

However, he denied reports the DUP was seeking £1 billion for the health service with a further £1 billion of infrastructure.

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Mr Donaldson said the £2 billion figure was “wildly inaccurate” and while he was not going to reveal figures, this figure was a “gross exaggeration”.

"We recognise the fiscal situation the UK is in at present. We all have to work within our means and what we're looking for is some help towards investing in infrastructure projects and health and education in Northern Ireland where there's been a bit of a deficit due to the legacy that we had when we had 30 years with very little investment in our schools, hospitals and roads due to the Troubles and money having to be spent instead on security and infrastructure," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

“The DUP has never sought that level of funding for this kind of package. We did secure £2.5 billion as part of the Fresh Start agreement from the UK Government.

“We’ve done quite well so far, but we want to make some additions to that as there are particular pressures at the moment.”

On the issue of Parades in the discussions, he said: "Let's be clear there is a talks process at Stormont, it is separate, those issues are being addressed in the context of the talks at Stormont with the other parties. Our talks are about forming a national government, they're about national issues and about helping NI catch up with the UK in funding terms.

Infrastructure

Mr Donaldson said the DUP was seeking to bring the level of infrastructure up to the level of the rest of the United Kingdom.

“So what we are asking for is some help to make up that deficit.” Mr Donaldson hinted the DUP had already secured concessions with Conservative manifesto pledges to end the triple lock for pensioners and means testing for the winter fuel allowance being omitted from the Queen’s Speech.

“We are interested in a deal that benefits the UK as a whole,” he said. “What we certainly don’t want to see is pensioners and the more vulnerable being affected. If what we do benefits people across the United Kingdom then as a unionist party that is something we are proud of.”

Asked about the chances of an agreement before next week's Commons vote on the Queen's Speech, Sir Jeffrey said: "I think very good. The sooner the better as far as we are concerned."

When asked if the DUP was seeking assurances on Brexit he replied “of course. We want to ensure that the outcome is good for Northern Ireland, that it enables us to continue as always with a common travel area predating the EU, but that we also have arrangements that enable a seamless border to be put in place and there is an accommodation for trade between the Republic and Northern Ireland so that businesses on both sides of the border can continue to enjoy the kind of trading we have at the moment.”

Dinosaurs

Mr Donaldson dismissed a comment that the DUP were “dinosaurs”.

“It was some of the Opposition parties that said that, they were using those terms. We’re thick skinned. We don’t worry too much about minor insults like that.

“It was the Green Party that came up with that insult. They returned with one seat. I think they are more likely to face extinction than the DUP ever will.

Sir Jeffrey’s comments came after DUP sources accused the Conservatives of taking the party for granted in the negotiations.

He indicated that the situation had improved after Mrs May became more personally involved in the discussions, which had been led by the Government Chief Whip Gavin Williamson. Chancellor Philip Hammond also expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached between the two parties.

Additional reporting: PA