The Democratic Unionist Party leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, has stated that he will see out the full four-year term of the Northern Assembly as first minister, despite initial speculation that he would resign within the first two years.
Dr Paisley told UTV that he would remain in office despite an understanding among many in the DUP that because of his age - he is 81 - he would hand over the leadership and first minister's post to his deputy, Peter Robinson, or, less likely, Nigel Dodds or his son Ian.
Dr Paisley, who named his ministers on Monday - Mr Robinson, Mr Dodds, Arlene Foster, Edwin Poots and junior minister Mr Paisley jnr - has been preparing to formally take office when devolution is restored on May 8th.
In a documentary to be broadcast on May 8th Dr Paisley said to interviewer Jim Dougal, "I am going to do the full term". "I have no intention of retiring because I believe that Ulster needs me, and I believe they need the leadership that I can give them," he said. "There is no other politician that has the backing of the people as I have," added Dr Paisley.
That support also came from nationalists, he said. He had "sheaves and sheaves of letters" from Catholics attesting to that support.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, deputy first minister-designate Martin McGuinness and Wexford councillor John Dwyer will meet British prime minister Tony Blair in Downing Street ahead of the return of devolution.
Sinn Féin also announced yesterday that South Antrim MLA Mitchel McLaughlin would chair the Assembly's finance committee which will scrutinise the work of finance and personnel minister Peter Robinson.
West Belfast MLA Sue Ramsey will chair the employment and learning committee, examining the work of Ulster Unionist minister Sir Reg Empey.
North Belfast MLA Caral Ní Chuilin will be the party's new Assembly chief whip.
