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Peter Robinson says NI has been 'transformed' in final leader's speech | Peter Robinson says NI has been 'transformed' in final leader's speech |
(35 minutes later) | |
Peter Robinson has said "Northern Ireland is a place transformed" in his final leader's speech to the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) annual conference. | Peter Robinson has said "Northern Ireland is a place transformed" in his final leader's speech to the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) annual conference. |
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". | 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". |
He said after three years of problems at Stormont, the latest 'Fresh Start' deal means "politics can work again". | He said after three years of problems at Stormont, the latest 'Fresh Start' deal means "politics can work again". |
He is to quit as Northern Ireland first minister and DUP leader within weeks. | He is to quit as Northern Ireland first minister and DUP leader within weeks. |
'Almost done' | |
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 announced his retirement on Thursday, two days after the agreement was struck between the DUP, Sinn Féin and the British and Irish governments. |
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. | 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. |
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". | 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. | "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." | "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." | "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." |
Read more: Peter Robinson: Timeline of life and career | |
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. | 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' | '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". | 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. | "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 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. | "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. | "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." | "This deal ends that uncertainty and removes the obstacles to progress." |
'Nostalgia' | |
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. |
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. |
Speaking before the event, he told BBC Radio Ulster: "I suppose there will be some nostalgia. | Speaking before the event, he told BBC Radio Ulster: "I suppose there will be some nostalgia. |
"I've been in the party since the day of its birth, so clearly I have many memories." | "I've been in the party since the day of its birth, so clearly I have many memories." |
His formal retirement as both DUP leader and first minister will not take effect until some time around the end of the year. | 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. | 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. | "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. |