Stormont Politicians Return To Assembly

Northern Ireland's newly elected Assembly is to take its seats this week.

Stormont sources said the first session of the Assembly on Thursday will deal with the election of the Speaker.

Sinn Fein are thought to be raising the issue - after Willie Hay was elected the last time - as they had an understanding it would be someone from 'their side' who gets the job next.

Martin McGuinness said that while Mr Willie Hay had done a good job as Speaker, the post was symbolically significant.

Mr McGuinness was referring to a statement made in the chamber by Ian Paisley back in May 2007 when Mr Hay was initially appointed.

The former first minister said then: "I acknowledge that at the next Assembly election, we will support a candidate drawn from the other side of the house.

"Of course, that will rest with the people because we will go back to the people for new mandates.

"However, all things considered, if we do well we will support someone from the other side of the house in the next Parliament."

Once the issue of a new Speaker is addressed, the leaders of the main parties will elect the First and Deputy First Ministers and the main parties will meet at the end of the week to discuss outstanding issues.

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness have been consulting with their respective party colleagues before deciding which departments they want and who will be the respective ministers and it is believed it could be next Monday before the new Executive is in place.

The Secretary of State Owen Paterson MP has said that the newly elected Assembly and the soon to be formed Executive can make a real difference to people's lives in Northern Ireland and see in a new era of economic and social progress.

Mr Paterson said: "All the parties in the new executive and Assembly will now need to address the economic challenges that lie ahead.

"I want to do all I can to help rebalance the economy by encouraging the growth of a vibrant and expanding private sector. Northern Ireland has unique circumstances within the United Kingdom.

"No other part of the UK suffered from decades of terrorism that undermined the efforts of successive government's to attract inward investment and create the conditions for businesses to expand.

"Already Northern Ireland is a great place to invest. Northern Ireland's people have a strong work ethic and are highly loyal with labour turnover rates amongst the lowest in Europe.

"So we will work with the Executive to help create wealth for the benefit of the whole community by strengthening the economy and helping it grow making Northern Ireland an even better place to do business."

(JG/GK)