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NI Assembly is 'back to business' NI Assembly is 'back to business'
(about 1 hour later)
The assembly has begun its first full day of debates since politicians returned from their summer break.The assembly has begun its first full day of debates since politicians returned from their summer break.
First Minister Ian Paisley, who is to step down as Free Presbyterian Moderator, is due to answer questions from assembly members. First Minister Ian Paisley, who is to step down as Free Presbyterian Moderator, has been answering questions from assembly members.
Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew revealed that disinfectant controls at airports and ports brought in after the foot-and-mouth scare had ended. Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew revealed that disinfectant controls at airports and ports, brought in after the foot-and-mouth scare, had ended.
NI escaped an export ban, and ministers thanked those who had helped in this. NI escaped an export ban and ministers thanked those who had helped in this.
Export bans were imposed on English, Scottish and Welsh meat and dairy produce, but Mr Paisley said the assistance given to Northern Ireland of the British, Irish, US and Japanese governments was particularly welcome. Export bans were imposed on English, Scottish and Welsh meat and dairy produce, but Mr Paisley said the assistance given to Northern Ireland from the British, Irish, US and Japanese governments was particularly welcome.
Deputy first minister Martin McGuinness also paid tribute to a number of US officials including President Bush's special envoy to NI, Paula Dobriansky. Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness also paid tribute to a number of US officials including President Bush's special envoy to Northern Ireland, Paula Dobriansky.
Tax debateTax debate
Later in the day's proceedings, politicians will debate a proposal from Sinn Fein that the assembly should be given the power to vary taxes. Politicians are also due to debate a proposal from Sinn Fein that the assembly should be given the power to vary taxes.
Assembly members have held committee meetings, but Monday was the first time they had returned to the main chamber. Assembly members have held committee meetings, but Monday was the first time they returned to the main chamber.
Mr Paisley will be on his feet answering questions later. The deadline for submitting questions was last Tuesday, so none touched on Mr Paisley's decision, announced at the weekend, that he will step down as Free Presbyterian Moderator at the end of the year.
The deadline for submitting questions was last Tuesday, so none touch on Mr Paisley's decision, announced at the weekend, that he will step down as Free Presbyterian Moderator at the end of the year. Instead the first minister dealt with topics such as the cost of divisions in Northern Ireland, the role of junior ministers and the delay in appointing a victims commissioner.
Instead the first minister will deal with topics such as the cost of divisions in Northern Ireland, the role of junior ministers and the delay in appointing a victims commissioner.