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Peter Robinson to give last DUP conference speech as leader Peter Robinson says NI has been 'transformed' in final leader's speech
(about 2 hours later)
Peter Robinson will give his last leader's speech to the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) annual conference in County Down later on Saturday. Peter Robinson has said "Northern Ireland is a place transformed" in his final leader's speech to the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) annual conference.
Mr Robinson confirmed two days ago that he will step down as both DUP leader and first minister of Northern Ireland within weeks. He told his party devolution had brought "peace and prosperity" and added that he looked back "with pride at all that we together have achieved".
Speaking before the event, he said: "I suppose there will be some nostalgia. He said after three years of problems at Stormont, the latest 'Fresh Start' deal means "politics can work again".
"I've been in the party since the day of its birth, so clearly I have many memories." He is to quit as Northern Ireland first minister and DUP leader within weeks.
Read more: Peter Robinson: Timeline of life and career Mr Robinson announced his retirement on Thursday, two days after the agreement was struck between the DUP, Sinn Féin and the British and Irish governments.
Mr Robinson said he intends to remain as a member of the DUP after his steps down. The Fresh Start document addressed some but not all of the issues that had caused months of political deadlock and placed the future of devolution in doubt.
"It's probably not the last party conference I'll come to, but it's certainly the last one that I'll address as leader," he added. Mr Robinson told the DUP's annual party conference on Saturday "my work is almost done, and now it is time for the next generation to step forward".
"I wanted to make sure that I was handing over the reins of a political process that was stable and secure for the long term.
"After a seemingly endless process I am delighted that we have finally reached agreement on the way forward. We have resolved all those toxic issues that threatened the continuation of devolution."
"So as I prepare to bow out I do so in the knowledge that the province is on safe ground and this party is in good shape to take Northern Ireland forward."
Mr Robinson was cheered and given a standing ovation as he took to the podium at the La Mon House hotel, with many of this party colleagues hugging him and shaking his hand.
'Better future'
He told them Northern Ireland's place within the UK is "secure" and congratulated them on maintaining their position as "Northern Ireland's largest party".
"Ulster is no longer at the crossroads - we're on the motorway and on a clear path to a better future," he said.
The DUP leader said the Fresh Start deal had removed "the threat of bankruptcy and collapse" from Stormont.
"The fundamental block on politics these last three years has been the refusal of some to face up to financial realities and accept welfare reform.
"That impasse soured relations; starved key public services of much needed resources, and threatened the executive with financial ruin.
"This deal ends that uncertainty and removes the obstacles to progress."
Mr Robinson is one of the founding members of the DUP and his political career has lasted more than 40 years.Mr Robinson is one of the founding members of the DUP and his political career has lasted more than 40 years.
Read more: Peter Robinson: Timeline of life and career
He took over as first minister and DUP leader from the late Ian Paisley in 2008.He took over as first minister and DUP leader from the late Ian Paisley in 2008.
This year's DUP conference began on Friday afternoon Speaking before the event, he told BBC Radio Ulster: "I suppose there will be some nostalgia.
Health Minister Simon Hamilton pledged to seek an extra £1bn for health in the next Northern Ireland Assembly term. "I've been in the party since the day of its birth, so clearly I have many memories."
Michelle McIlveen claimed that she is turning around the Department of Regional Development (DRD), after the Ulster Unionist Party's only minister quit the Northern Ireland Executive. His formal retirement as both DUP leader and first minister will not take effect until some time around the end of the year.
Delegates are certain to give Mr Robinson a rousing send off, although his formal retirement as both DUP leader and first minister will not take effect until some time around the end of the year. Mr Robinson said he intends to remain as a member of the DUP after he steps down.
"It's probably not the last party conference I'll come to, but it's certainly the last one that I'll address as leader," he added.