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NI Executive: MLAs to meet to appoint new executive | NI Executive: MLAs to meet to appoint new executive |
(about 3 hours later) | |
MLAs will meet at Stormont later to appoint a new power-sharing executive in the wake of the assembly election. | MLAs will meet at Stormont later to appoint a new power-sharing executive in the wake of the assembly election. |
Both the DUP and Sinn Féin say they are confident that a full ministerial team will be put in place, despite the decision of the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP to go into opposition. | |
The official appointment of new ministers does not begin until noon. | The official appointment of new ministers does not begin until noon. |
However, Sinn Féin pre-empted the assembly sitting by revealing on Tuesday who its new ministers will be. | |
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said that Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, Michelle O'Neill, Chris Hazzard and Megan Fearon will join him in the executive. | Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said that Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, Michelle O'Neill, Chris Hazzard and Megan Fearon will join him in the executive. |
Mr McGuinness did not clarify which departments they will be allocated, although he said this would be made clear on Wednesday. | Mr McGuinness did not clarify which departments they will be allocated, although he said this would be made clear on Wednesday. |
The majority of the posts in the executive will be filled by Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin MLAs. | The majority of the posts in the executive will be filled by Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin MLAs. |
The SDLP and Ulster Unionists are forming an opposition at Stormont. | The SDLP and Ulster Unionists are forming an opposition at Stormont. |
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said his party would not be appointing shadow ministers on Wednesday. | |
"I think the sensible way forward will be for the Ulster Unionist Party to appoint spokespeople across the range of government departments and the big issues - children, victims and all the rest," he said. | |
"I imagine the SDLP will do the same thing, but maybe further down the line there will be a better sense of co-ordination between the two parties, but what we're not going to do is rush." | |
Challenges | Challenges |
Mr McGuinness, who will continue to serve as deputy first minister, said he had "the utmost confidence" in his ministers. | Mr McGuinness, who will continue to serve as deputy first minister, said he had "the utmost confidence" in his ministers. |
"They are all intelligent, committed, dedicated Irish republicans who understand the challenges that face us in the next five years," he said. | "They are all intelligent, committed, dedicated Irish republicans who understand the challenges that face us in the next five years," he said. |
Confident | Confident |
Mr McGuinness said his four Sinn Féin colleagues would be designated to their ministries on Wednesday. | Mr McGuinness said his four Sinn Féin colleagues would be designated to their ministries on Wednesday. |
Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers has warned that unless a justice minister is appointed by Wednesday fresh assembly elections will have to be held. | Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers has warned that unless a justice minister is appointed by Wednesday fresh assembly elections will have to be held. |
Mr McGuinness said he was "100% confident" there would be a justice minister appointed by Wednesday. | Mr McGuinness said he was "100% confident" there would be a justice minister appointed by Wednesday. |
"Obviously we stated some days ago that [DUP leader and first minister] Arlene Foster and I were agreed that we would be in a position to put an executive together which would meet on Thursday," he said. | "Obviously we stated some days ago that [DUP leader and first minister] Arlene Foster and I were agreed that we would be in a position to put an executive together which would meet on Thursday," he said. |
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