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Historic return for NI Assembly Historic return for NI Assembly
(20 minutes later)
Northern Ireland has a new power-sharing government in an historic day at Stormont.Northern Ireland has a new power-sharing government in an historic day at Stormont.
DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness have taken their pledges of office as devolution returns to Northern Ireland. DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness took their pledges of office as devolution returned.
Five years of direct rule by London appointed ministers officially ended at midnight. Five years of direct rule by London-appointed ministers has ended. Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern witnessed the creation of the new executive.
British and Irish Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern travelled to Stormont to witness the ceremony. Mr Paisley said: "Today we are starting upon the road which I believe will take us to lasting peace in our province."
He added: "I welcome the pledge we have all taken to that effect today... that is the rock foundation upon which we must build.
"From the depths of my heart I can say I believe Northern Ireland has come to a time of peace, a time when hate will no longer rule.
"How good it will be to be part of a wonderful healing in this province."
In October 2002, allegations of intelligence gathering within Stormont led to the suspension of power-sharing institutions. A subsequent court case collapsed.In October 2002, allegations of intelligence gathering within Stormont led to the suspension of power-sharing institutions. A subsequent court case collapsed.
NI's road to peace Devolution reactionNI's road to peace Devolution reaction
In an interview for the BBC, Mr Blair was asked about the morality of some of the decisions he made to bring about the restoration of devolution.In an interview for the BBC, Mr Blair was asked about the morality of some of the decisions he made to bring about the restoration of devolution.
He said: "There are people who still think that the compromises that were made along the way were unacceptable.He said: "There are people who still think that the compromises that were made along the way were unacceptable.
"But sometimes politics is about that in order to achieve a better end -- and there are always two kinds of people in politics -- those who stand aside and commentate and those who get their hands dirty and do." "But sometimes politics is about that in order to achieve a better end - and there are always two kinds of people in politics - those who stand aside and commentate and those who get their hands dirty and do."
Mr Paisley said Northern Ireland was now "on the road to prosperity".
"I believe we're starting on a road which will bring us back to peace and to prosperity," he said.
Mr McGuinness said he was confident he and the DUP leader could work together.Mr McGuinness said he was confident he and the DUP leader could work together.
"We've already taken joint decisions, but that was in the context of not having power," he said."We've already taken joint decisions, but that was in the context of not having power," he said.
Both Mr McGuinness and Mr Paisley paid tribute to DUP assembly member George Dawson, who died on Monday evening.Both Mr McGuinness and Mr Paisley paid tribute to DUP assembly member George Dawson, who died on Monday evening.
William Hay was appointed as the new speaker, replacing the outgoing Eileen Bell.William Hay was appointed as the new speaker, replacing the outgoing Eileen Bell.
Protesters tried to block the PM's motorcadeProtesters tried to block the PM's motorcade
In nominating the DUP assembly member, Mr Paisley said the speaker in the next assembly would be from the nationalist community.In nominating the DUP assembly member, Mr Paisley said the speaker in the next assembly would be from the nationalist community.
Demonstrators protesting against the war in Iraq were forcibly removed by police after they attempted to block the arrival of Mr Blair's motorcade.Demonstrators protesting against the war in Iraq were forcibly removed by police after they attempted to block the arrival of Mr Blair's motorcade.
The protesters, who had been standing in front of Parliament Buildings, ran down the hill to the Carson Statue and lay down on the road.The protesters, who had been standing in front of Parliament Buildings, ran down the hill to the Carson Statue and lay down on the road.
Ministers from the four main parties are taking the pledge of office, which includes support for the police.Ministers from the four main parties are taking the pledge of office, which includes support for the police.
The return of devolved government follows an historic meeting in March between DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, where they agreed to share power.The return of devolved government follows an historic meeting in March between DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, where they agreed to share power.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said he was confident the parties would make a go of it.Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said he was confident the parties would make a go of it.
VIP guests at Stormont include US Senator Ted Kennedy, the DUP leader's wife Baroness Paisley and Peggy McGuinness, the deputy first minister's mother.VIP guests at Stormont include US Senator Ted Kennedy, the DUP leader's wife Baroness Paisley and Peggy McGuinness, the deputy first minister's mother.
Also attending is Jeanette Ervine, the widow of Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine who died in January.Also attending is Jeanette Ervine, the widow of Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine who died in January.
The first meeting of the new power-sharing executive is scheduled for later this week.The first meeting of the new power-sharing executive is scheduled for later this week.