The DUP leadership has published a document outlining the St Andrews Agreement and calling for unionist feedback on the possibility of sharing power with Sinn Féin at Stormont. Dan Keenan, Northern News Editor, reports
The document, "Your verdict - what is it to be?", is being distributed through local newspapers and forms part of the DUP's in-depth consultation with the unionist electorate.
The publication, signed by the Rev Ian Paisley, claims the DUP is "replacing the disastrous Belfast Agreement" with a new accord and that much outstanding work remains "work in progress". The leadership's tone is positive but falls short of advocating unionist support for the deal. It also warns that if the St Andrews deal is rejected by unionists, "there will be a greater role for the Government of the Republic of Ireland in the affairs of Northern Ireland".
The paper also lists seven other pitfalls, from the abolition of academic selection to the imposition of water charges, if the St Andrews deal is rejected.
Feedback is sought before November 8th, just two days before the British and Irish governments want the main parties to make clear if they support the St Andrews proposals.
There is still no indication of progress on the stand-off between republicans and the DUP on the question of a pledge to back the PSNI and law and order.
Unionists want any Sinn Féin nominee to the position of Deputy First Minister to make clear the party's support for both the police and the courts.
Sinn Féin sources believe unionists can resolve the difficulty "if they want to" while making clear that republicans cannot back the PSNI in advance of a special ardfheis.
The party cannot, it says, call such an ardfheis without progress on the devolution of policing and justice powers.
DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson denied yesterday that any delay to progress was the fault of his party. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, the East Belfast MP said "a long list of issues" remained to be settled before the St Andrews deal is agreed and the DUP shares power with Sinn Féin. "I don't believe the DUP is willing to share power with the Sinn Féin of today," he said.
"The question is will the Sinn Féin of tomorrow be such that the DUP and other democratic parties share power with it?" That will come down to a single issue, Mr Robinson said.
"Can they rid themselves of terrorism, can they rid themselves of criminality and can they come into the democratic fold and give their support to the police, the courts and the rule of law." He added: "The question is theirs, not ours. When they make the transition to democracy, then the circumstances change. They haven't done that yet." British political sources at Stormont insist the next key date is November 10th when approval of the St Andrews deal is hoped for.
The Irish Times was told that contacts with Sinn Féin and the DUP on the issue of any pledge to back the police and courts are continuing - so far without success.
Next Wednesday the parties are due to meet the British chancellor of the exchequer, Gordon Brown, on the issue of a financial deal for Northern Ireland in the event of restoration of the Stormont institutions.