London [UK], February 4: Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill, who made history on Saturday as the first leader of Northern Ireland who supports Irish reunification, pledged to work with those who want to remain part of the UK to build a better future for the region.
The appointment of the Sinn Fein vice president provided a moment of history on the day the powersharing institutions of the regional devolved government returned after a two-year hiatus. Emma Little-Pengelly of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the largest pro-British party, has been nominated to serve as Northern Ireland's next deputy first minister.
The two top jobs in the ministerial executive wield equal power and responsibility, but the elevation of an Irish republican to the office of first minister, by virtue of Sinn Fein becoming the region's largest political party in the 2022 Assembly election, is undoubtedly a significant symbolic moment for Northern Ireland.
Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) gathered at Parliament Buildings at Stormont on the outskirts of Belfast for the sitting at which a series of ministers were to be appointed to the powersharing executive.
The blockade was led by the DUP over post-Brexit trading arrangements it said treated Northern Ireland differently from other parts of the UK.
Addressing the chamber after her appointment was confirmed and she affirmed the pledge of office, O'Neill said the restoration of the institutions marked a "moment of equality and progress." "A new opportunity to work and grow together ... Confident that wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations, we can and must build our future together," she said.
"We must make powersharing work because collectively, we are charged with leading and delivering for all our people, for every community," she said.
Source: Qatar Tribune
