Full text of the statement by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at Hillsborough Castle today:
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Taoiseach, Príomh Aire na Breataine agus na páirtí uilig.
I am very pleased that we have concluded this agreement with the DUP. As everyone knows this has been a difficult negotiation.
This is hardly a surprise given the reality that I am an Irish republican and others here have a completely different view. I believe in a united Ireland. They want to maintain the union with England.
This should not mean that we are incapable of respecting each other, of treating one an other as equals and proceeding on the basis of partnership, respect, fairness and equality. I am utterly determined to continue to work
in good faith and with a good heart with my unionist colleagues. I want to work in harmony with Peter Robinson for the good of the entire community. That is what Sinn Féin is about. We signed up for agreements on Good Friday and at St Andrew's and here today. We proceed on the basis of implementing these commitments.
We have agreed that the transfer of policing and justice powers to our power sharing government will happen on April 12th.
We have agreed and put in place a process which will see the powers which oversee parades transfer to our administration before the end of this year. We have agreed a process to progress the rights of Irish language speakers and North/South aspects of the St Andrew's Agreement.
Sinn Féin are in these political institutions to deliver for everyone. That what Sinn Féin Ministers and MLAs are here to do. I am a Minister for all citizens.
We are also agreed on the need to deliver for our community, it is what they expect.
There are families and children living in poverty. Elderly people feeling vulnerable and in fear.
There are young families burdened by massive mortgages and in fear of losing their homes. People without jobs.
Our government needs to reach out to these people. It needs to deliver. We need to confront and defeat all kinds of hatred. With determined and courageous leadership we must continue to lead that shrinking minority out
of the trenches of the past. In this I am confident we can be assured of the support of the vast majority of our people. We need to make life better for all our children and grandchildren.
That is what this agreement must mean in practice. Fully functioning political institutions operated for the people in true partnership and equality. Let us now all face into the future with confidence in ourselves and in the people who elect us.