It is the first meeting of its kind between Paisley and the Catholic church and could be viewed as significant in the run-up to political negotiations about the North in St Andrews in Scotland later this month.

The move by Paisley, famous for his tirades against the Catholic church, will be seen as an attempt to reach out to the nationalist community.

The DUP delegation will include other senior party members including deputy leader Peter Robinson.

It is one in a series of meetings the DUP is arranging with the North's church leaders.

The party has already met Presbyterian moderator David Clarke, and is hoping at a later date to meet Methodist and Church of Ireland figures.

Paisley has denounced the Catholic church many times during his long career. He has branded Rome "the whore of Babylon" and was removed from the European Parliament in 1988 for shouting "Anti-Christ!" at Pope John Paul II.

Confirming that Paisley would meet Archbishop Brady, a DUP spokesman told the Sunday Tribune: "The party is happy to meet church leaders and others in the community to listen and discuss a wide range of political issues.

"Of course, the meeting will be cordial.

"Dr Paisley will listen to what Archbishop Brady has to say, and Archbishop Brady will be able to hear firsthand our stance on a number of crucial matters."

Despite the meeting with Archbishop Brady, hopes remain low of a DUP-Sinn Fein deal later this month.