FIRST Minister Peter Robinson says an agreement finally reached at Stormont will benefit the people of Fermanagh.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter at the DUP Conference in Castlereagh, Mr. Robinson said it was “very important” to finalise the deal before he left office after a political career spanning more than 40 years.

“You don't want to be handing things over when it's a mess. We have a real prospect of having a stable government and financial stability. That makes for a much better set of circumstances for handing the baton over,” he said.

“We will have fiscal security; it means we are no longer facing bankruptcy or financial ruin. There is certainty about what is going to happen, people will have the best welfare system anywhere in these islands,” he said.

Mr. Robinson said the deal reached after 10 weeks of intensive talks means an end to “the crippling welfare penalties.”

“A joint taskforce will also be set up to deal with criminality, smuggling and fuel laundering in the Border area,” said Finance Minister Arlene Foster.

She said the taskforce to tackle criminality would help people in the Border area in Fermanagh and added that £47.6m allocated by her to the health department will “hopefully elevate some of the waiting lists in Fermanagh.”

The corporation tax rate in Northern Ireland will be cut to 12.5 per cent in 2018.

“This allows Invest Northern Ireland to go across the world and get into those firms they haven't been able to reach and that means more foreign direct investment,” said Minister Foster.

The British Government will now roll out its welfare reforms as a result of the 'fresh start' deal.

“If we had not got a deal we would have had the introduction of welfare in Northern Ireland without the financial packages that would help families who currently face challenges,” explained Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey.

Asked if the people of Fermanagh should be worried about such changes, Minister Storey said: “Welfare should never become a trap for families to stay dependent upon benefits, they should always be a help to ensure they can move forward, move to employment, move to other opportunities. However for some people then I believe we have the system to give help and assistance,” he said.

The party conference, attended by many Fermanagh delegates, including DUP councillors Keith Elliott, David Mahon and Paul Robinson, was overshadowed by the decision by the leader and first minister to step down.

Asked about his thoughts on leaving politics, Mr. Robinson said: “I have been on this journey for many decades. Your politics changes according to what the backcloth is of which you are having to make comment. It's in your blood to influence decisions. Even in the darkest time you have that close camaraderie with colleagues, people who could raise a smile even in the most difficult times. It has been an exciting, fascinating time.”