Assembly report:The Democratic Unionist Party yesterday refused to meet British and Irish government demands to nominate someone for the position of first minister of Northern Ireland, with party leader Ian Paisley blaming Sinn Féin for the impasse.
Announcing himself to the Assembly as a man of "plain speech", Dr Paisley said he would not fudge the issues nor engage in "word games".
On the issue of supporting the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the rule of law and the courts, the DUP leader accused Sinn Féin of failing to do so "up to this point".
"Rather they have equivocated, hesitated and by various means have obstructed progress and continued to blame my party for the delay," he said. Only when Sinn Féin backed the police and met "other commitments" could progress be made.
"Delivery is in the hands of Sinn Féin and there can and will be no movement until they face up and sign up to their obligations.
"The government stressed before, during and after the St Andrews talks that the twin pillars for agreement are DUP support for powersharing and Sinn Féin support for policing," he said.
"Clearly as Sinn Féin is not yet ready to take the decisive step forward on policing, the DUP is not required to commit to any aspect of powersharing in advance of such certainty.
"Circumstances have not been reached that there can be a nomination or a designation this day," Dr Paisley said.
"I have made clear my aim, hope and desire for the future. Throughout the DUP consultations, it was stated if and when commitments are delivered, the DUP would enter government.
"At that time, there will fall to me a judgment consistent with the policy that delivery on the ground is a basis for moving forward. Here I stand."
Dr Paisley's defiant statement was followed by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams's nomination of his chief negotiator, Martin McGuinness, as deputy first minister.
He told the chamber he agreed with Ian Paisley that it was "an important day". Along with the DUP, he said republicans too faced challenges in the months ahead. "But I believe that all the parties in this chamber and the two governments can overcome these challenges."
Mr Adams denounced "British direct rule" as "bad rule" and said he shared in the DUP wish to see local accountability at Stormont.
"The DUP say they have difficulty sharing power with republicans," he told members. "Let me tell you that many, many nationalists and republicans are concerned at the prospect of Sinn Féin sharing power with the DUP. But that is also a challenge that we must rise to."
He said all had to accept responsibility for what had occurred.
"With goodwill we can create a space in which all the issues of difference including policing and powersharing, on poverty or any other matter can satisfactorily be dealt with.
"Today is another day in the inch-by-inch process of putting the political institutions back in place."
Against a background of mocking unionist laughter, Mr Adams claimed: "Martin McGuinness will be champion for equality, fairness and justice."
Mr McGuinness then spoke briefly to accept Mr Adams's nomination.
"If it is the will of the people and Sinn Féin I will represent the people as deputy first minister. I will carry out my responsibilities and duties conscientiously and will respect and promote the common good of all our people at all times."
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey described the peace process as "consistent in its inconsistency" and asked whether or not Dr Paisley had actually made a nomination as the British government had insisted.
Speaker Eileen Bell said the issues contained in the speeches made were to be addressed by Peter Hain and not herself.
Sir Reg continued: "What is clear is the trajectory [ along which] we are now going. And the trajectory . . . is towards powersharing between the DUP and Sinn Féin. That is absolutely clear."
He said the howls of DUP protests at his remarks "were more an expression of embarrassment than they are anything else. For years people have been telling us about the things they would never do."
SDLP leader Mark Durkan branded the proceedings a "hollow farce" and he accused the Northern Secretary of resorting to "remote direction" of events in the Assembly.
"Language and logic has been turned inside out and on its head," he said.
Alliance leader David Ford branded Dr Paisley's statement as "the longest 'maybe' in history ever".