Hain signs order to restore power-sharing

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain today signed the order paving the way for a new era of power-sharing in the North.

Mr Hain approved the restoration order, enabling the Assembly to meet tomorrow to appoint a new multi-party government of unionists and nationalists.

Democratic Unionist leader the Rev Ian Paisley and Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness will be officially installed as the joint head of the new administration.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be among guests who will witness Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness taking the oath to become First and Deputy First ministers.

The Assembly will also nominate 10 ministers to head government departments and two junior ministers.

The Ministers will be drawn from the DUP, Sinn Féin, the Ulster Unionists and the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party.

An Assembly Speaker and three deputy speakers will also be elected.