Within minutes of the Presiding Officer, Lord Alderdice, opening proceedings in the new Northern Ireland Assembly, members were at odds over its location, flags and use of the Irish language. But the 108 members began the morning's session at 10.30 a.m. in solidarity, with a prayer, followed by a fiveminute silence in memory of the 29 people killed in the Omagh bombing.
Lord Alderdice announced the formation of a new party, the United Unionists Assembly Party. It will comprise three Independent unionists and will be led by Mr Denis Watson, Armagh District Grand Master of the Orange Order. Mr Watson, who resigned from the UUP last week, will be joined by former UUP member Mr Boyd Douglas and anti-agreement campaigner Mr Fraser Agnew.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, said that yesterday's meeting of the Assembly symbolised in a most meaningful way "the new era that has dawned in Northern Ireland". The Government looked forward to "working closely" with the Assembly and the new institutions, including the North-South Council.
The Workers' Party president, Mr Tom French, in a statement, said that there was an obligation on all political parties in the Assembly to bring about radical change in Northern Ireland. "Nothing, neither tribal allegiances nor misguided loyalties, must be allowed to stand in the way of peace and political progress, and everyone should play their full part in bringing this about", he said.