DUP wants views on Scotland talks

Ian Paisley's DUP wants to gauge unionist opinion on the talks

The DUP has published a four page brochure urging unionists to give their verdict on the St Andrews Agreement.

The message in the document from the party leadership appears to be a sales pitch in favour of the proposals.

The document states that the St Andrews Agreement is undoubtedly a better package than the Good Friday Agreement.

It warns in clear terms the consequences of rejection. It says these include a greater role by Dublin in the government of Northern Ireland.

It says this would be coupled with the possibility of Sinn Fein in the Irish government.

The document claims academic selection would be abolished, Sinn Fein would be off the hook on law and order and devolution might be blocked for years to come if the agreement is not accepted.

The party wants responses to its headquarters by 8 November.

Newspapers

The document is available in Friday's Belfast Telegraph and in the News Letter on Saturday and is also being distributed in local papers.

It poses a question: "Are the terms of Saint Andrews a basis of moving forward to devolution?" Subject to what it calls "faithful delivery and satisfactory progress on the remaining issues."

The Northern Ireland parties have been given until 10 November to respond to the St Andrews Agreement.

It was published after intensive three-day talks between the parties at St Andrews in Scotland.

If all goes to plan, a first and deputy first minister will be nominated on 24 November and the devolved institutions will be up and running by 26 March.