Sinn Fein will bid to have the Reverend Ian Paisley nominated as Northern Ireland First Minister when the Assembly is reconvened next week, Gerry Adams said today.
As Stormont's 108 Assembly members prepared to gather next Monday for the first time since they were elected in November 2003, Mr Adams said his party was focused on trying to get the power-sharing institutions under the Good Friday Agreement set up.
Gerry Adams speaking at a press conference at Stormont today where he nominated the Reverend Ian Paisley as Northern Ireland First Minister. Photo: Paul Faith/PA
The West Belfast MP told his party's Assembly team at Stormont that the Assembly proposed by the Government was an inferior model to the one which had previously operated.
And he also dubbed it the Peter Hain Assembly.
Mr Adams said: "After a thorough discussion we have agreed very strict guidelines and conditions for our party's participation in the Peter Hain Assembly.
"Consequently, our focus will be on the restoration of the institutions. So, I intend to nominate the Reverend Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness for the position of First and Deputy First Ministers.
"If this is unsuccessful we will seek to return to this business at the earliest possible time.
"We will also participate in a business committee to ensure that the election of the First and Deputy First Minister and any business for the urgent preparation of the restoration of government is discussed by the Assembly."