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Friday, 19 February 2010

DUP distributes deal leaflet

Peter Robinson has urged DUP voters to make up their own minds on the policing deal brokered with Sinn Fein at Hillsborough earlier this month.

A new leaflet outlining the agreement will be distributed to 100,000 households as part of the DUP's attempt to establish if the wider unionist community is happy with the settlement.

The First Minister asked people not to be prejudge the settlement on the basis of the negative comments its detractors and instead read it for themselves and come to their own view.

"In launching our leaflet on the Hillsborough Castle Agreement, we are providing people with information that will allow them to make an informed decision on the document,"Mr Robinson said.

The deal struck between the DUP and Sinn Fein after two weeks of marathon negotiations should see the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Stormont powersharing administration by April 12.

The agreement also laid out plans for an overhaul of the system for overseeing controversial parades to allow for greater local involvement in securing accommodations.

With the Assembly due to vote on the plan on March 9, the nationalist SDLP and Ulster Unionists are yet to be convinced by the proposals.

The Traditional Unionist Voice party, which is not represented in the Assembly, has rejected it outright.

Earlier this week Mr Robinson and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness launched a joint advert in support of the deal.

But following a complaint by TUV leader Jim Allister, broadcasting regulator Ofcom is investigating whether the ad breaches guidelines on political advertising.

Commenting on the leaflet, Mr Robinson said it would give people the chance to see that a good deal had been achieved.

"My message to the people is clear: read the document and make up your own mind, don't allow others to make it up for you," he added.

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12 Comments

At 11:02 on 22 February 2010, sue wrote:

You are well aware of the grass roots opinion out there long before the Hillsborough agreement. The message and has been from day one You shoulds NOT have put terrorists in gorernment you should not have lied to the people at the last election and now Sinn Fein are running rings round you and you haven't a clue what to do. This is the wonderful legacy of Ian Paisley snr carried on by the Robinsons Pull out of it all. If you are listening that is the message from the community

At 22:57 on 20 February 2010, doirecormac wrote:

The fact that this 'agreement' has upset people on 'both sides' shows how much of a fudge and full of double-speak it really is. Anyone who has read it can see that it doesn't actually say much. There's a lot of what may happen and what they would like to happen but nothing concrete in order that they wouldn't upset each other. That way it can interpreted any way you wish which makes it easier to sell to their respective sides. Although they haven't been published it's the side deals which seem to have been the only things that were agreed. And these two parties have lectured us all for years about democracy and equality!

At 19:28 on 20 February 2010, EAMON MCCONNELL wrote:

Typical unionist "no ney never men". Don't know the details of the deal but condemn it anyway. There is none so blind as those who will not see.

At 15:39 on 20 February 2010, Tommy wrote:

I hope I see them coming to my gate, I'll make sure the doors and windows are locked, they've used enough of my money in expenses without being around my property. The blue bin will get the leaflet and the TUV will bet my vote.

At 13:13 on 20 February 2010, Seamus M. wrote:

The day of the divine unionist rule is dead and gone just like Carson. There is no turning back the clock. We need to leave the past in its grave and move on with life, if not for our own sakes, then for that of our children.

At 12:29 on 20 February 2010, Barry wrote:

I've already seen the leaflet online on the dupers website. same lies as they have been saying since the "deal".

At 21:52 on 19 February 2010, Neil wrote:

typical loyalist comment their barry i see you and suprising amount of many others dont want to move on, if we dont move on where does it end for yous yez have to think a bit of sense on what options yous have and what will work