08 May 2007

News organisations from all over the world are in Belfast today to see the formal installation at the Stormont of an administration headed by Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness (First Minister and Deputy First Minister, respectively). Both men had been working together since a ground breaking agreement in March.

DUP ministers will head the departments of finance, the economy, the environment, and culture and leisure. Sinn Fein will have education, agriculture and regional development while smaller parties will handle employment, health and social development. An intricate array of checks and balances has been built into the new system. In addition, the work of each department will be scrutinised by a committee headed by Assembly members from parties different to that of the ministers. Powers over policing have yet to be transferred to Belfast, but may follow in the next few years.

Mr Paisley attempted to step up pressure on Gordon Brown to supply more money. He said in an interview: "There's no use having a nice vehicle sitting in your driveway if you haven't the fuel to put into it. It will not move an inch. It might be nicely polished. It might be beautiful looking but it is not going to do anything."

But using a notably constructive tone, he declared: "I would like to see a good hard-working parliament here, with good speeches and people dedicated to do what they have been sent here to do. There is talent in the Assembly and I want to see the talent of everybody used to the maximum for the good of Northern Ireland and all of its people."

Gerry Adams said: "There is huge goodwill for the return of the power sharing institutions in the North and growing support for our proposals to build an Ireland of equals."

3 comments:

elasticwaistbandlady said...

Today is the day that I beat you at Wordless Wednesday. I can feel it!

roman said...

I am not a very religious man but these meetings are nothing short of miracles. I hope that all people affected by "the troubles" will find it in their hearts to forgive and transcend the past.

jams o donnell said...

Ah you beat me to it ewbl! But I may be above you on the list!

I really do hope the cooperation we se now brings real lasting peace and prosperity to Northern Ireland Roman. I couldn't give a damn if there is a united Ireland or not, but I do want to see Northern Ireland get a lick at the brass ring