McGuinness and Robinson: No Chuckle Brothers II

SINN FÉIN’S deputy first minister Martin McGuinness has said there will be no repeat of his Chuckle Brothers double act with Ian Paisley when Peter Robinson becomes Northern Ireland first minister.

But he said he and Mr Robinson had a “good, positive, working relationship”, adding: “I think the omens are good.”

Similarly, Fianna Fáil leader-designate Brian Cowen said he and Mr Robinson had a “very good, mature, straightforward relationship” and would work together to bring increased prosperity to both sides of the border.

Mr Robinson was chosen by his assembly colleagues to succeed Mr Paisley as DUP leader yesterday morning.

He will be confirmed as leader at a meeting of the DUP’s ruling executive on Thursday, and will succeed Mr Paisley as the north’s first minister in early June.

Mr McGuinness and Mr Paisley surprised many with the warmth of their working relationship, which resulted in them being christened the Chuckle Brothers — a reference to a British comedy act.

Sinn Féin expects a more formal working relationship with Mr Robinson.

“You’re not going to get Chuckle Brothers Part II, but what you’re going to get are serious-minded people hopefully taking serious decisions, and I’m going to strive and endeavour to bring to all of this the same positive and constructive approach that I had while Ian Paisley was there,” said Mr McGuinness.

He was speaking after a meeting between himself, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and Mr Cowen at the Stormont Hotel.

Earlier, Mr Cowen and Mr Robinson — both finance ministers — held a joint conference at the Northern Ireland Science Park to announce further economic co-operation.

Financial services companies in the republic looking to expand in other jurisdictions will be encouraged to consider the north.

“There should be no doubt that we would view very favourably firms delegating some support services to the north,” said Mr Cowen.

Mr Robinson said he believed the initiative could be one of the most significant in decades in terms of employment potential for the north.

The body language of the two men was closely scrutinised, given that in less than two months’ time, they will be leading their respective jurisdictions.

Both took the opportunity to congratulate each other on their forthcoming appointments, and said they would seek to enhance all-island co-operation.

“I think what both of us bring to the table in terms of our political approach is a businesslike and pragmatic approach to problem-solving and to exploiting real opportunities,” said Mr Cowen.