DUP issues 'agreement tests'

Deputy leader Peter Robinson said his party offered a new unionism

Any political agreement in Northern Ireland must command the support of both nationalists and unionists, the Democratic Unionist Party has said.

In its manifesto for the assembly elections, the party set out six other tests which it said were required for a lasting political settlement.

The DUP said all parties aspiring to be part of the Northern Ireland government must turn their backs on violence for good.

In an attack on Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble, the party said the UUP could no longer be trusted to represent the unionist community in negotiations.

The party's tests for a lasting settlement include:

Only those committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means should exercise any cabinet-style ministerial responsibility

Within any new agreement, any relationship with the Republic of Ireland must be fully accountable to the assembly

A new settlement must be able to deliver equality of opportunity for unionists as well as nationalists

Agreed arrangements must be capable of delivering an efficient and effective administration

The outcome must provide a settlement within the UK, not a process to a united Ireland. It must provide stable government for the people of Northern Ireland and not be susceptible to recurring suspension

The party said the British and Irish Governments' political process proposals - outlined in their joint declaration - were a "threat to Ulster" and offered a "raft of concessions" to republicans.

The DUP will confront, resist and destroy the republican agenda - it's time he said for a new start Ian Paisley

If the UUP remained the largest voice in unionism, it would lead to a "nightmare" in the next four years, said the DUP.

It said Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams would become deputy first minister and his colleague Gerry Kelly would be nominated as policing and justice minister.

This would lead to ministers acting unaccountably and cross-border rule between the Irish and Stormont Governments, with a permanent place for republicans in government, said the DUP.

DUP leader Ian Paisley said the 26 November election was "Ulster's date with destiny".

He said the DUP would "confront, resist and destroy the republican agenda", adding: "It's time he said for a new start."

Deputy leader Peter Robinson said the DUP offered a new unionism.

The party's 32-page manifesto also contains pledges to senior citizens, including the provision of free travel on public transport to all over-60s; free personal and nursing care for older people; free TV licences to all over 65; more security for the elderly in their homes and a substantial increase in the size of the state pension.

The manifesto also pledged to:

Oppose local tax rises

Reduce the number of assembly members from 108 to 72, cutting the number of government departments by half as well as staffing levels in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister

Abolish the Civic Forum, cut back on cross border implementation bodies and the North-South Ministerial Council

Redefine the equality and human rights agenda

Oppose the implementation of the Burns Report on post-primary education, promoting selection which places children in appropriate schools

Address inequality in school funding, with small rural schools also receiving more funds to make sure they remain open

Back proper investment in health services above the level of funding provided by the Treasury in the Barnett Formula but end "knee jerk spending" on health, with audit trails to see how and where funding is spent

Continued opposition to the use of 50:50 recruitment quotas for Catholics and Protestants wishing to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland

Tougher sentences for car crime, hate crimes, crimes against the elderly, presumptive mandatory minimum sentences for repeat burglary, tougher powers to combat anti-social behaviour, justice for the victim and accused in sex crimes, a tougher approach to dealing with criminal and terrorist gangs.