Protestants feel they got raw deal on Good Friday

Almost seven years since the accord was ratified by referendum, the study finds 85 per cent of Protestants feel nationalists got the best of the deal.

But the report from the Economic and Social Research Institute shows most Catholics think unionists and nationalists were treated equally.

The research also shows no Protestants believe the accord benefited unionists - a drop from 5 per cent in 1998.

The report into values and attitudes on both sides of the border notes that 27 per cent of Catholics believe nationalists got more from the deal.

Tony Fahey, co-author of the report, notes that while the big political questions in Northern Ireland continue to be split on the basis of religion there is consensus on social issues.

A similar consensus appears over abortion and homosexuality in communities on either side of the border.

The study finds, however, that the link between constitutional ideals and religion is stronger on the Protestant side than the Catholic - 5 per cent of Protestants in the north support a united Ireland.

And Mr Fahey says the survey shows Catholics are satisfied with government in the north.

"Catholics in Northern Ireland rate the system of government more positively than do the people of Britain.

"And there is an extraordinary homogeneity on cultural issues. There are areas where there is a lot of consensus."