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NI executive holds first meeting Executive holds its first meeting
(about 23 hours later)
The new power-sharing executive is set to meet for the first time at Stormont in Belfast. The new power-sharing executive has been meeting for the first time at Stormont in Belfast.
The ministers are expected to reaffirm that water charges will be deferred for one year. The discussions were dealing with water charges and negotiations with the treasury over a peace dividend to accompany the return of devolution.
A range of other issues will also be discussed at the meeting, including negotiations with the Treasury on a financial package. It was the first of what will be fortnightly meetings of the executive.
The executive is understood to be dissatisfied with what is on offer from Chancellor Gordon Brown. In contrast to the previous executive, which the DUP refused to attend, all the new ministers took their places around the table.
The ministers will also discuss their priorities for government and how resources will be spent. While the meeting has a practical purpose, it is also hugely significant. On his way in, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he was more excited than before because the DUP was participating.
The DUP refused to join the other ministers at the Executive table in the last administration. Mr McGuinness and First Minister Ian Paisley smiled at each other as they took their seats.
This time the DUP will be at the table, along with Sinn Fein, the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP. Another survivor from the previous executive, Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey, said he wanted to see how long the DUP-Sinn Fein "love-in" lasts.
The executive has agreed to allow cameras into the meeting to capture what is likely to be another iconic image in the political process. The SDLP's Margaret Ritchie said she was not concerned about being the only member of her party at the table.
She said she would be battling hard and forming alliances to get money for her social development department and her priorities including housing.
Asked to shift his chair for an official photograph Mr Paisley joked that he would move it "not an inch".