PETER Robinson officially took office today as Northern Ireland’s First Minister.
The recently elected DUP leader, took his pledge of office followed by re-nominated Sinn Fein deputy Martin McGuiness.
Earlier in the week Stormont sources hinted that Sinn Fein could refuse to put forward their deputy First Minister candidate, a move which would have stalled the devolved government.
Republican sources claimed that Sinn Fein were becoming frustrated with the DUP using its Executive veto on a number of key political issues, including the proposed maze stadium, an Irish language bill and the restructuring of the 11 plus system.
Today Mr Robinson, who suceeds Ian Paisley, said it is important “people learned from the past, not live in it”.
Mr Robinson also noted the hard work ahead: “Of course the deputy first minister and I will have to roll up our sleeves – and neither of us will duck the challenges or recoil from the hard work that such tasks require.”
Mr Robinson is the Province’s third First Minister to preside over the Stormont Assembly. Lord Trimble was the first politician to take on the role in 1998, following the Belfast Agreement.
