Paisley Celebrates Belfast Port As Crunch Time Looms For Robinson

One of Northern Ireland's most prominent politicians will mark his last day in office, today, by launching the Province's most expensive port engineering project.

Amid controversy at Stormont over his successor, NI First Minister, Ian Paisley will be joined by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness and Scottish counterpart Alex Salmond for the official opening of a £37m ferry terminal in Belfast.

Stena Line's new terminal is the most expensive engineering project in the port's history - but Northern Ireland is now closer to Scotland - thanks the 50-acre extension on Belfast Lough.

Dr Paisley said: "Northern Ireland is very much open for business and, like this new terminal, offers a hearty welcome to all. In this ultra-modern facility we can see a tangible commitment to developing a prosperous future by two key players in the Northern Ireland economy: Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Stena Line."

Noting the recently-announced outcome of a review of policy on the trust ports, Mr McGuinness continued: "I believe that the policy course mapped out from that review will enable all our trust ports, such as here in Belfast, to continue to thrive and develop and serve our growing economy effectively."

Welcoming the participation of Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP at the opening ceremony Dr Paisley said: "It is right, given the many economic, cultural and family bonds between Scotland and Northern Ireland that our two administrations work to strengthen our transport linkages through mutual cooperation."

Scottish First Minister Salmond had arrived by cruising down the lough, where he was met by Dr Paisley and Mr McGuiness at the new Victoria Terminal Four.

Dr Paisley is expected to leave the office of First Minister tomorrow, when the Assembly will convene to nominate a new first and deputy first minister.

However amid today's celebrations a dark cloud is looming.

While negotiations are continuing behind the scenes to overcome apparent deadlock regarding the nomination process - which could still be derailed should Sinn Fein refuse to put forward a candidate - this has cast a shadow of uncertainty over Peter Robinson's succession to the post of NI First Minister.

(PR/JM)