A clear majority of unionists favour a renegotiation of the Belfast Agreement, while overall a majority of people in Northern Ireland want the agreement abandoned or recast, according to a poll published in yesterday's Belfast Telegraph.
The poll is disquieting for pro-Belfast Agreement parties and an election fillip for the campaign strategy of the DUP, which is constantly hammering home the renegotiation demand.
The poll reports that only 16 per cent of unionists want the agreement implemented without modification, while 61 per cent want it renegotiated and 18 per cent say it should be discarded.
The combined Catholic-Protestant figure shows that only 36 per cent want the agreement implemented without any revision, while almost 50 per cent want it renegotiated, and one in eight believe it should be abandoned.
Catholics are still keeping faith with the agreement. More than six out of 10 want it implemented as things stand, while almost seven out of 10 would want it implemented if the IRA stated it would never again use weapons under any circumstances.
Even with the IRA making such a pledge, only 24 per cent of unionists want the agreement implemented, while 55 per cent want renegotiation, and 15 per cent want it abandoned.
The poll offers little comfort to pro-agreement parties and will also worry the British and Irish governments which must try to pick up pieces after the election. If accurate, it would be particularly worrying for the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, who has been arguing the merits of the agreement.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin announced yesterday it would again seek the education and health ministries. Although the party said it would be well placed to take the first or deputy first minister positions, it was determined to continue the work it started in both departments.
The former minister for education, Mr Martin McGuinness, said he would "love" to regain the position. The former minister for health, Ms Bairbre de Brún, said it was a matter for the party to decide. However, she is standing in next June's European elections.
"The other parties ran away from these ministries. They were afraid to take them on," Mr McGuinness said. "Over the past three years we have made progress in reversing the years of decline, underinvestment and direct rule. We are now eager to finish the job."
Ms de Brún said the party would work for an all-Ireland approach to health provision based on the National Health Service model, increased resources for social services, extending the range of healthcare and focusing on preventive health measures.
Mr McGuinness said Sinn Féin would also work to end the "academic rejection" of 11-year-old children, prioritise special needs education and increase funding. He said the party would be interested in securing the policing and justice portfolio.