NI Assembly to launch charm offensive

Northern Ireland’s new power sharing administration will today launch a charm offensive as the team of ministers begins a series of engagements.

The North’s new power sharing administration will today launch a charm offensive as the team of ministers begins a series of engagements.

First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will host their first joint reception at Stormont since taking over as the joint heads of the new power sharing government.

The reception will recognise the role Northern Ireland’s ethnic communities play in the province.

Members of the Chinese, Indian and Pakistani communities will join Eastern Europeans and other communities including Travellers for the event.

Economy Minister Nigel Dodds will travel to Derry for a major announcement.

Education Minister Caitriona Ruane will visit schools in Antrim and Magherafelt.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie will tour the site of a social housing project in South Belfast.

Culture Minister Edwin Poots will meet children from both sides of the sectarian divide in North Belfast who are involved in a cross community sports project.

The new Northern Executive will also circulate a new glossy leaflet through daily newspapers and government offices informing the public about devolution and introducing them to the new administration.

A Stormont source said: “Now that we have got the official ceremony out of the way at Parliament Buildings, we can now get down to the real day-to-day business of devolved government.

“I think everybody is relishing that challenge.”