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| Ronnie Richards |
A laugh and a look into the future as old foes join forces at last to share power at Stormont
· Paisley and McGuinness stand side by side
· Proceedings watched by Irish and US politicians
Owen Bowcott, Ireland correspondent
Wednesday May 9, 2007
The Guardian
Northern Ireland's first minister, Ian Paisley, and the deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, smile after being sworn in at Stormont. Photograph: Paul Faith/AP
Ian Paisley, the Democratic Unionist party leader who spent decades denouncing republicans, and Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander, joined together yesterday to assume office as first and deputy first ministers at the head of a new power-sharing government.
With two prime ministers and a host of American political dignitaries in the gallery watching the ceremonial opening, the Northern Ireland assembly elected a speaker, three deputy speakers and an entire ministerial team without dissent.
The extraordinary display of cross-community unity at Stormont marked a symbolic end to the Troubles and opened an era of cooperation between former enemies. Gerry Adams, the president of Sinn Féin, shook hands with William Hay, the DUP assembly member (MLA) who was elected as speaker. The only conflict of the day came at the gates of Stormont when police clashed with anti-Iraq war protesters objecting to Tony Blair's presence.
The proceedings were delayed by half an hour out of respect for the memory of George Dawson, a DUP MLA who died at the weekend. When business resumed, nominations began, putting in place the politicians who had been selected for parliamentary and executive posts.
Mr Paisley nominated Mr Hay as speaker and promised that after the next election "we will be supporting a candidate drawn from the other side of the house". He had first met Mr Hay "as a young boy in short pants", he recalled. In seconding him, the DUP MP and MLA, Jeffrey Donaldson, described Mr Hay as a "stout" defender of "his home city, Londonderry". Mr Hay, who is by no means obese, took the comment in good humour and it became a shared joke among the parties, warming the atmosphere, as successive nominations were made.
Up in the gallery Mr Paisley's wife, Eileen - now a peer - sat not far from the US senator Ted Kennedy, a longtime supporter of the peace process.
On the opposite benches, behind Mr Blair and the Irish taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, was Peggy McGuinness, the mother of the Sinn Féin deputy first minister. Others in the gallery included Albert Reynolds, the former taoiseach and the Northern Ireland secretary, Peter Hain. Father Alec Reid and the Rev Harold Good, who played influential roles in persuading paramilitary groups to renounce violence, sat nearby.
Sinn Féin MLAs who took the pledge of office began their statements in Irish. The oath included promises that ministers would "prevent discrimination", support "non-violence and exclusively peaceful means" and "uphold the rule of law".
The MLAs then moved into the marbled hall at Stormont to be addressed by Mr Paisley, Mr McGuinness, Mr Blair and Mr Ahern. Mr Paisley, who recalled being arrested on the night of the Good Friday agreement in 1998, said: "In politics as in life, it is a truism that no one can ever have 100% of what they desire ... I can say to you today that I believe Northern Ireland had come to a time of peace, a time when hate will no longer rule. How good it will be to be part of the wonderful healing in this province today."
Mr McGuinness said: "We know the road we are embarking on will have many twists and turns. It is, however, a road which we have chosen and which is supported by the vast majority of our supporters."
Mr Blair, who paid tribute to his predecessor, Sir John Major, for initiating the peace process, said: "Look back and we see centuries marked by conflict, hardship, even hatred among the people of these islands. Look forward and we see the chance to shake off those heavy chains of history."
Mr Ahern praised Mr Blair's contribution. "This was not a process that promised quick or easy rewards. But he has been a true friend of peace and a true friend of Ireland. And for that we express our heartfelt thanks." But in the hall afterwards there was no handshake between Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,,2075344,00.html
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