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Paisley says good progress made Paisley says good progress made
(19 minutes later)
DUP leader Ian Paisley has said good progress is being made on a number of fronts in his talks with the government over the return of devolution.DUP leader Ian Paisley has said good progress is being made on a number of fronts in his talks with the government over the return of devolution.
Speaking after a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, Mr Paisley said the abolition of water charges was achievable.Speaking after a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, Mr Paisley said the abolition of water charges was achievable.
He also said the DUP's election success allowed him to move forward.He also said the DUP's election success allowed him to move forward.
The newly-elected Northern Ireland Assembly has been meeting for the first time on Tuesday at Stormont.The newly-elected Northern Ireland Assembly has been meeting for the first time on Tuesday at Stormont.
The 108 members were asked to sign the register and select a voting designation, either unionist, nationalist or other.The 108 members were asked to sign the register and select a voting designation, either unionist, nationalist or other.
The parties have until 26 March to agree a power-sharing executive or the British and Irish governments say they will shut the assembly and stop the pay of its members.The parties have until 26 March to agree a power-sharing executive or the British and Irish governments say they will shut the assembly and stop the pay of its members.
'Strengthened hand''Strengthened hand'
Mr Paisley said he had been "severely criticised by various people".Mr Paisley said he had been "severely criticised by various people".
"Some of them are my personal friends but they don't agree with what I've done, (but) the electorate fortunately has agreed," he said."Some of them are my personal friends but they don't agree with what I've done, (but) the electorate fortunately has agreed," he said.
"It has strengthened my hand - I can afford to go further forward now with things, because I am confident that the people are with me.""It has strengthened my hand - I can afford to go further forward now with things, because I am confident that the people are with me."
The 108 MLAs had to say if they were unionist, nationalist or otherThe new assembly is comprised of 36 DUP members, 28 Sinn Fein members, the UUP has 18 and the SDLP has 16.The 108 MLAs had to say if they were unionist, nationalist or otherThe new assembly is comprised of 36 DUP members, 28 Sinn Fein members, the UUP has 18 and the SDLP has 16.
If a power-sharing executive is formed it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.If a power-sharing executive is formed it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.
There are new faces on the benches, including Alliance's Anna Lo, the first member to come from an ethnic minority background.There are new faces on the benches, including Alliance's Anna Lo, the first member to come from an ethnic minority background.
The outgoing speaker, Eileen Bell, is expected to remain in place until a replacement is elected.The outgoing speaker, Eileen Bell, is expected to remain in place until a replacement is elected.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont. A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont. A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.
Meanwhile, the government has set out proposals for Irish language legislation in Northern Ireland.
The proposals, which will be put out to consultation, include the appointment of an Irish language commissioner and the establishment of Irish language schemes for public bodies.