First Minister Arlene Foster (DUP) with party colleague Lord Maurice Morrow celebrate their victory in Fermanagh South Tyrone as part of The Northern Ireland Assembly Election 2016 at Omagh Leisure Centre.
First Minister Arlene Foster at the election count in Omagh. Picture by John McVitty / Press Eye Catherine Seeley (left) and John O’Dowd (right) of Sinn Fein celebrate their re-election as counting of votes continues at Banbridge Leisure centre for Upper Bann constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. : Niall Carson/PA Wire Catherine Seeley and John O’Dowd of Sinn Fein celebrate their re-election as counting of votes continues at Banbridge Leisure centre for Upper Bann constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Niall Carson/PA Wire Sinn Fein’s John O’Dowd (left) waits as the counting of votes continues for the Upper Bann constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections at Banbridge Leisure centre in County Down. Niall Carson/PA Wire Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 6th May 2016 – The assembly election count for Upper Bann continues into it’s second day today in Bainbridge Leisure centre, with four seats left to be filled. Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 6th May 2016 – The assembly election count for Upper Bann continues into it’s second day today in Bainbridge Leisure centre, with four seats left to be filled. Richie McPhillips of the SDLP (second left) celebrates being elected in the constituency of Fermanagh South Tyrone as counting continues at the Omagh count centre in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections.Brian Lawless/PA Wire Ulster Unionist Jo Anne Dobson celebrates election in Upper Bann with son Mark. Michael McHugh/PA Wire Rosemary Barton of the UUP celebrates being elected in the constituency of Fermanagh South Tyrone as counting continues at the Omagh count centre in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Brian Lawless/PA Wire Press Eye – Valley Leisure Centre – Count Centre – 7th May 2016 DUP leader Arlene Foster MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone makes time for a quick cup of tea as counting continues at the Omagh count centre in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Brian Lawless/PA Wire Rosemary Barton (UUP) being congratulated by Tom Elliott, MP during The Northern Ireland Assembly Election 2016 at Omagh Leisure Centre. Daniel McCrossan (SDLP) elected West Tyrone as part of The Northern Ireland Assembly Election 2016 at Omagh Leisure Centre. Press Eye – Valley Leisure Centre – Count Centre – 7th May 2016 Press Eye – Valley Leisure Centre – Count Centre – 7th May 2016 Press Eye – Valley Leisure Centre – Count Centre – 7th May 2016 First Minister Arlene Foster (DUP) arriving today Saturday for The Northern Ireland Assembly Election 2016 at Omagh Leisure Centre. Daniel McCrossan (SDLP) elected West Tyrone as part of The Northern Ireland Assembly Election 2016 at Omagh Leisure Centre. @Press Eye Ltd Northern Ireland- 6th May 2016 (left to right) Pundit Paul McFadden, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood and People Before Profits Eamonn McCann share a joke at the Foyle Arena in Londonderry, as counting of votes continues in the the Foyle and East Londonderry constituencies in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2016. See PA story ULSTER Election. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Newly elected DUP MLA’s for Belfast South, Emma Little Pengelly and Christopher Stalford celebrate their victory at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Liam McBurney/PA Wire Newly elected DUP MLA for Belfast South, Emma Little Pengelly speaks at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Liam McBurney/PA Wire Newly elected DUP MLA for Belfast South, Christopher Stalford speaks at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Liam McBurney/PA Wire Alliance Party’s Paula Bradshaw celebrates after become the MLA for Belfast South at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, during the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Liam McBurney/PA Wire Newly elected MLA SDLP candidate for the Belfast West Claire Hanna, (centre) celebrates with supporters at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Liam McBurney/PA Wire Sinn Fein candidate for Belfast West Pat Sheehan speaks with media after being returned for another term during the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2016. See PA story ULSTER Election. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Sinn Fein candidate Martin McGuinness is interviewed outside the Foyle Arena in Londonderry, as counting of votes continues in the the Foyle and East Londonderry constituencies in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2016. See PA story ULSTER Election. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Press Eye – Lagan Valley Count Centre – 6th May 2016 Sinn Fein candidate Martin McGuinness is interviewed at the Foyle Arena in Londonderry, as counting of votes continues in the the Foyle and East Londonderry constituencies in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2016. See PA story ULSTER Election. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire @Press Eye Ltd Northern Ireland- 6th May 2016 SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood at the Foyle Arena in Londonderry, as counting of votes continues in the the Foyle and East Londonderry constituencies in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2016. See PA story ULSTER Election. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Press Eye – Lagan Valley Count Centre – 6th May 2016 Michelle Gildernew (Sinn Fein), who was elected in the Fermanagh South Tyrone count at Omagh Leisure Centre. Press Eye – Lagan Valley Count Centre – 6th May 2016 PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 Sinn Fein candidate Martin McGuinness is interviewed outside the Foyle Arena in Londonderry, as counting of votes continues in the the Foyle and East Londonderry constituencies in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2016. See PA story ULSTER Election. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 A party activists wears a DUP rosette at the Foyle Arena in Londonderry, as counting of votes continues in the the Foyle and East Londonderry constituencies in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2016. See PA story ULSTER Election. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 Gerry Carroll, People Before Profit Alliance looks at his portrait after being elected in West Belfast at Titanic exhibition Centre in Belfast. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Arlene Foster, relaxing after being elected in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Gary Middleton of the DUP is kissed by his wife Julie after election in Foyle, as counting of votes continues in the the Foyle and East Londonderry constituencies in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PA Alliance Party’s candidate for east Belfast Naomi Long is congratulated after it is announced she has made the quota. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Emma Little-Pengelly, DUP at Titanic exhibition Centre in Belfast. The process of counting votes in the Northern Ireland Assembly election has begun. Two hundred and seventy-six candidates are competing for 108 seats across Northern Ireland’s 18 constituencies. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 6th May 2016 – The assembly election count for Newry and Armagh takes place in Banbridge Leisure Centre. Alastair Patterson (UUP) at the Election Count at Omagh Leisure Centre. George Robinson of the DUP (centre blue suit) is elected an MLA for East Londonderry as counting of votes continues at the Foyle Arena in Londonderry in the the Foyle and East Londonderry constituencies in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PA Sinn Fein candidate Martin McGuinness arrives at the Foyle Arena in Londonderry, as counting of votes continues in the the Foyle and East Londonderry constituencies in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PA The assembly election count for Newry and Armagh takes place in Banbridge Leisure Centre. Pictured: DUP Upper Bann candidate Carla Lockhart topped the poll on the first count with a total of 7993 votes. Picture by Philip Magowan / Press Eye. Martin McGuinness arrives the Foyle Count in the Foyle Arena in Derry. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. Alex Easton, DUP after being successful on the first count for North Down for the Assembly Elections at the Aurora Leisure Centre, Bangor. Picture by Brian Little/Presseye Vote counters distribute surplus votes during the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections count at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2016. See PA story ULSTER Election. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Mairtin O Muilleoir, Sinn Fein candidate for Belfast South, applauds the news that he has been elected as an MLA during the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, where the counting of votes continues in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2016. See PA story ULSTER Election. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Maurice Bradley of the DUP (centre) celebrates his election as an MLA for East Londonderry, as the counting of votes continues at the Foyle Arena in Londonderry in the Foyle and East Londonderry constituencies in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2016. See PA story ULSTER Election. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 DUP leader Arlene Foster (L) gives a victory sign alongside DUP chairman and fellow candidate Lord Morrow (R) after being elected at the Northern Ireland Assembly count at Omagh Leisure on May 6, 2016 in Omagh, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Mairtn î Muilleoir, Sinn Fein candidate for Belfast South, at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, where the counting of votes continues in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2016. See PA story ULSTER Election. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PACEMAKER PRESS 06/05/2016. 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly Election. Votes are counted at Omagh Leisure centre as Voters took to the polls across Northern Ireland. Pictured is DUP leader Arlene Foster with Lord Morrow. PICTURE MARK MARLOW/PACEMAKER PRESS PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 OMAGH, NORTHERN IRELAND – MAY 06: DUP leader Arlene Foster jokes as she attempts to take a photograph of a party colleague after being elected at the Northern Ireland Assembly count at Omagh Leisure on May 6, 2016 in Omagh, Northern Ireland. Two hundred and seventy six candidates are contesting 108 seats across the province. The Democratic Unionist Party are predicted to return as the largest political party in the province with Arlene Foster also returned as First Minister of the power sharing government with Sinn Fein the second largest party. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) OMAGH, NORTHERN IRELAND – MAY 06: DUP leader Arlene Foster (C) celebrates with party members after being elected at the Northern Ireland Assembly count at Omagh Leisure on May 6, 2016 in Omagh, Northern Ireland. Two hundred and seventy six candidates are contesting 108 seats across the province. The Democratic Unionist Party are predicted to return as the largest political party in the province with Arlene Foster also returned as First Minister of the power sharing government with Sinn Fein the second largest party. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 6th May 2016 Alex Maskey (centre) of Sinn Fein is congratulated by fellow candidate Pat Sheehan (left) and his brother Paul Maskey (right) after being elected as MLA for Belfast West, at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, where the counting of votes continues in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2016. See PA story ULSTER Election. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Counting begins at the Titanic Convention centre in east Belfast for the North, East, South West constituencies in the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly elections. Sinn Fein candidate for south Belfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir pictured at the count. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-05-2016: NI Assembly election: North Down Strangford counts in Aurora Leisure Complex in Bangor. NI Assembly Elections Foyle and East Londonderry count The Alliance Party’s David Ford looks over the numbers. Picture: Matt Bohill PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 (L-R) Jane McCallister with her husband Independent John McCallister and SDLP’s Margaret Ritchie. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-05-2016: NI Assembly election: North Down Strangford counts in Aurora Leisure Complex in Bangor. Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 6th May 2016 Artist Brian John Spencer draws a caricature of DUP leader Arlene Foster, as he is watched by Guy Spence (left), DUP Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast and Christopher Stalford, DUP councillor for Balmoral, at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, where the counting of votes continues in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Liam McBurney/PA Wire Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-05-2016: NI Assembly election: North Down Strangford counts in Aurora Leisure Complex in Bangor. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-05-2016: NI Assembly election: North Down Strangford counts in Aurora Leisure Complex in Bangor. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-05-2016: NI Assembly election: North Down Strangford counts in Aurora Leisure Complex in Bangor. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-05-2016: NI Assembly election: North Down Strangford counts in Aurora Leisure Complex in Bangor. Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 6th May 2016 Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 6th May 2016 Counting begins at the Titanic Convention centre in east Belfast for the North, East, South West constituencies in the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly elections. Alliance Party’s candidate for east Belfast Naomi Long is congratulated after it is announced she has made the quota. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Counting begins at the Titanic Convention centre in east Belfast for the North, East, South West constituencies in the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly elections. DUP candidate for east Belfast Joanne Bunting(centre) is congratulated after it is announced she has made the quota. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Counting begins at the Titanic Convention centre in east Belfast for the North, East, South West constituencies in the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly elections. DUP candidate for east Belfast Joanne Bunting is congratulated after it is announced she has made the quota. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 PACEMAKER PRESS 06/05/2016. 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly Election. Votes are counted at Omagh Leisure centre as Voters took to the polls across Northern Ireland. Pictured is DUP party leader Arlene Foster arriving at the count centre in Omagh. PICTURE MARK MARLOW/PACEMAKER PRESS PACEMAKER PRESS 06/05/2016. 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly Election. Votes are counted at Omagh Leisure centre as Voters took to the polls across Northern Ireland. Pictured is DUP party leader Arlene Foster arriving at the count centre in Omagh. PICTURE MARK MARLOW/PACEMAKER PRESS Counting begins at the Titanic Convention centre in east Belfast for the North, East, South West constituencies in the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly elections. DUP candidate for south Belfast Emma Pengelly(second from left) pictured with party colleagues including MP for north Belfast Nigel Dodds(right). Nichola Mallon, SDLP candidate for Belfast North, at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, where the counting of votes continues in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Liam McBurney/PA Wire Emma Little-Pengelly, DUP candidate for Belfast South, at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, where the counting of votes continues in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections.Liam McBurney/PA Wire (left to right) Nelson McCausland, DUP candidate for Belfast North, Diane Dodds, DUP MEP, William Humphrey and Paula Bradley, DUP candidates for Belfast North, Nigel Dodds, DUP MP for North Belfast and Frank McCoubrey, DUP candidate for Belfast West, at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, where the counting of votes continues in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Liam McBurney/PA Wire Bundes of ballot papers for Anna McCloskey, Independent Party candidate, Martin McGuinness and Meave McLaughlin, Sinn Fein candidates, as the counting of votes continues at the Foyle Arena in Londonderry in the Foyle and East Londonderry constituencies in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Niall Carson/PA Wire Counting of votes continues at the Foyle Arena in Londonderry in the Foyle and East Londonderry constituencies in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Niall Carson/PA Wire Bundles of ballot papers are placed beside each corresponding candidates name, at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, where the counting of votes continues in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Liam McBurney/PA Wire People Before Profit Alliance candidates Gerry Carroll for Belfast West and Fiona Ferguson for Belfast North, chat at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, where the counting of votes continues in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. Liam McBurney/PA Wire Fra McCann, Sinn Fein candidate for Belfast West, at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, where the counting of votes continues in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections Liam McBurney/PA Wire Jim Wells arrives at the Lesiure Plex in Lisburn and is refused entry because he does not have photographic ID with him. He is delayed for a short time before he is admitted to the centre. Jim Wells arrives at the Lesiure Plex in Lisburn and is refused entry because he does not have photographic ID with him. He is delayed for a short time before he is admitted to the centre. Jim Wells arrives at the Lesiure Plex in Lisburn and is refused entry because he does not have photographic ID with him. He is delayed for a short time before he is admitted to the centre. Counting begins at the Titanic Convention centre in east Belfast for the North, East, South West constituencies. PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 A count supervisor sorts voting papers at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, after elections to decide the make-up of the next Stormont Assembly. Liam McBurney/PA Wire A volunteer counts ballot papers at the counting centre at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, after elections to decide the make-up of the next Stormont Assembly. Liam McBurney/PA Wire Volunteers empty a ballot box in the counting centre at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, after elections to decide the make-up of the next Stormont Assembly. Liam McBurney/PA Wire PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 PACEMAKER BELFAST 06/05/2016 Ballot boxes for the Foyle Constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly election are opened at the count centre in the Foyle Arena. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-05-2016: NI Assembly election: East South Antrim count at Valley Leisure Centre Glengormley. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-05-2016: NI Assembly election: East South Antrim count at Valley Leisure Centre Glengormley. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-05-2016: NI Assembly election: East South Antrim count at Valley Leisure Centre Glengormley. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-05-2016: NI Assembly election: East South Antrim count at Valley Leisure Centre Glengormley. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-05-2016: NI Assembly election: East South Antrim count at Vally Leisure Centre Glengormley. Counting begins at the Titanic Convention centre in east Belfast for the North, East, South West constituencies. Counting begins at the Titanic Convention centre in east Belfast for the North, East, South West constituencies. The count gets under way at Lisburn Leisure Plex count centre for Lagan Valley and South Down candidates. The count gets under way at Lisburn Leisure Plex count centre for Lagan Valley and South Down candidates. The count gets under way at Lisburn Leisure Plex count centre for Lagan Valley and South Down candidates. The count gets under way at Lisburn Leisure Plex count centre for Lagan Valley and South Down candidates. Pacemaker Press Belfast 05-05-2016: NI Assembly election: Sinn Fein supporters holding sample ballot sheets, showing people how to vote, camped outside St Teresa’s Polling Station in West Belfast Sinn Fein supporters holding sample ballot sheets, showing people how to vote, outside St Teresa’s Polling Station in West Belfast Pacemaker press 05/05/2016 UUP Leader Mike Nesbitt arrives with his wife Lynda at Gilnahirk Primary School to make his vote on Polling day. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 05/05/2016 UUP Leader Mike Nesbitt with his wife Lynda at Gilnahirk Primary School to make his vote on Polling day. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press DUP Leader, Arlene Foster, arriving with councillor Paul Robinson and friend Rhona McMahon at Brookeborough Controlled Primary School to cast her vote in today’s Assembly Election. DUP Leader, Arlene Foster, speaks to a local resident after arriving at Brookeborough Controlled Primary School to cast her vote in today’s Assembly Election. Voters take to the polls across Northern Ireland as voting begins in the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly Election. Voters cast their vote in polling stations around Belfast. Pictured are canvassers outside Welcome evangelical church in the Woodvale area of West Belfast. picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 05/05/2016 Voters take to the polls across Northern Ireland as voting begins in the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly Election. Voters cast their vote at Holy Trinity Primary School n West Belfast. Pictured is West Belfast’s Sinn Fein number 1 candidate Pat Sheehan with a young one direction fan. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 05/05/2016 Voters take to the polls across Northern Ireland as voting begins in the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly Election. Voters cast their vote in polling stations around Belfast. picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 05/05/2016 Voters take to the polls across Northern Ireland as voting begins in the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly Election. Voters cast their vote in polling stations around Belfast. Pictured are canvassers outside Welcome evangelical church in the Woodvale area of West Belfast. picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 05/05/2016 Voters take to the polls across Northern Ireland as voting begins in the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly Election. Voters cast their vote in polling stations around Belfast. Pictured is DUP cllr Brian Kingston [left] outside Edenbrooke ps. picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 05/05/2016 Voters take to the polls across Northern Ireland as voting begins in the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly Election. Voters cast their vote in polling stations around Belfast. picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and his wife Rachel with baby Rosa arrive to cast their vote at the Model Primary School in Derry on Thursday morning for the NI Local Assembly Elections. Picture Margaret McLaughlin © please by-line 5-5-16 Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and fellow candidates Maeve McLaughlin and Raymond McCartney arrive to cast their vote at the Model Primary School in Derry on Thursday morning for the NI Local Assembly Elections. Supported by Mitchel McLaughlin and Martina Anderson MEP. Picture Margaret McLaughlin © please by-line 5-5-16 SDLP leader Colum Eastwood’s wife Rachel with baby Rosa arrive to cast their vote at the Model Primary School in Derry on Thursday morning for the NI Local Assembly Elections. With Mark Durkan MP and former SDLP leader. Picture Margaret McLaughlin © please by-line 5-5-16 Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 5th May 2016 Election candidates Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Raymond McCartney and Maeve McLaughlin after casting their vote at the Model Primary School in Derry on Thursday morning for the NI Local Assembly Elections. Picture Margaret McLaughlin © please by-line 5-5-16
The Ulster Unionist Party is to form the first official Opposition within the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Party Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, announced the decision to the Assembly as it sat for the first time since the elections on May 5 where they returned 16 MLAs.
It came moments after DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein veteran Martin McGuinness were re-appointed First and Deputy First Minister respectivelly.
Mr Nesbitt said the party would take up the recently established option of entering formal opposition to the coalition executive.
While smaller parties and independents have sat outside the mandatory coalition government in past mandates, they have not been afforded the recognition, funding and key Assembly positions of an official opposition.
A new law now enable parties with the electoral strength to enter the executive to instead form an opposition.
Read more:
Northern Ireland election 2016: Who are all the 108 Assembly members elected?
Mr Nesbitt said in a statement: “We asked for a mandate to enter the talks on the next Programme for Government, promising that if either of our two tests were not met, we would form an Official Opposition.
“Those tests were whether it was a progressive Programme and secondly, whether we sensed a will from the DUP and Sinn Fein to lead collective delivery.
Stormont’s 108 MLAs
Belfast East Belfast East: Andy Allen UUP Belfast East: Joanne Bunting, DUP Belfast East: Sammy Douglas, DUP Belfast East: Naomi Long, Alliance Belfast East: Chris Lyttle, Alliance Belfast East: Robin Newton, DUP Belfast North Belfast North: Paula Bradley, DUP Belfast North: Gerry Kelly, Sinn Fein Belfast North: William Humphrey, DUP Belfast North: Nichola Mallon, SDLP Belfast North: Nelson McCausland, DUP Belfast North: Caral Ni Chuilin, Sinn Fein Belfast South Belfast South: Clare Bailey, Green Party Belfast South: Paula Bradshaw, Alliance Belfast South: Claire Hanna, SDLP Belfast South: Emma Little Pengelly, DUP Belfast South: Mairtin O Muilleoir, Sinn Fein Belfast South: Christopher Stalford, DUP Belfast West Belfast West: Alex Attwood, SDLP Belfast West: Gerry Carroll, People Before Profit Belfast West: Alex Maskey, Sinn Fein Belfast West: Fra McCann, Sinn Fein Belfast West: Jennifer McCann, Sinn Fein Belfast West: Pat Sheehan, Sinn Fein East Antrim East Antrim: Roy Beggs, UUP East Antrim: Stewart Clyde Dickson, Alliance East Antrim: David Hilditch, DUP East Antrim: Noel Jordan, DUP East Antrim: Oliver McMullan, Sinn Fein East Antrim: Alastair Ross, DUP East Londonderry East Londonderry: Caomihe Archibald, Sinn Fein East Londonderry: Maurice Bradley, DUP East Londonderry: Adrian McQuillan, DUP East Londonderry: Gerry Mullan, SDLP East Londonderry: George Robinson, DUP East Londonderry: Claire Sugden, Independent Fermanagh and South Tyrone Fermanagh and South Tyrone: Rosemary Barton, UUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone: Arlene Foster, DUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone: Michelle Gildernew, Sinn Fein Fermanagh and South Tyrone: Sean Lynch, Sinn Fein Fermanagh and South Tyrone: Richie McPhillips, SDLP Fermanagh and South Tyrone: Maurice Morrow, DUP Foyle Foyle: Mark H Durkan, SDLP Foyle: Colum Eastwood, SDLP Foyle: Eamonn McCann, People Before Profit Foyle: Raymond McCartney, Sinn Fein Foyle: Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein Foyle: Gary Middleton, DUP Lagan Valley Lagan Valley: Robbie Butler, UUP Lagan Valley: Paul Given, DUP Lagan Valley: Brenda Hale, DUP Lagan Valley: Trevor Lunn, Alliance Lagan Valley: Jenny Palmer, Ulster Unionist Party Lagan Valley: Edwin Poots, DUP Mid Ulster Mid Ulster: Keith Alexander Buchanan, DUP Mid Ulster: Linda Dillon, Sinn Fein Mid Ulster: Patsy McGlone, SDLP Mid Ulster: Ian Milne, Sinn Fein Mid Ulster: Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein Mid Ulster: Sandra Overend, UUP Newry and Armagh Newry and Armagh: Cathal Damian Boylan, Sinn Fein Newry and Armagh: Megan Fearon, Sinn Fein Newry and Armagh: William George Irwin, DUP Newry and Armagh: Danny Kennedy, UUP Newry and Armagh: Justin McNulty, SDLP Newry and Armagh: Conor Murphy, Sinn Fein North Antrim North Antrim: Jim Allister, TUV North Antrim: Paul Frew, DUP North Antrim: Philip Logan, DUP North Antrim: Daithi Gerard McKay, Sinn Fein North Antrim: Mervyn Storey, DUP North Antrim: Robin Swann, UUP North Down North Down: Steven Agnew, Green Party North Down: Alan Chambers, UUP North Down: Gordon Mervyn Dunne, DUP North Down: Alex Easton, DUP North Down: Stephen Farry, Alliance North Down: Peter James Weir, DUP South Antrim South Antrim: Steve Aiken, UUP South Antrim: Pam Cameron, DUP South Antrim: Trevor Clarke, DUP South Antrim: David RJ Ford, Alliance South Antrim: Paul Girvan, DUP South Antrim: Declan Kearney, Sinn Fein South Down South Down: Sinead Bradley, SDLP South Down: Chris Hazzard, Sinn Fein South Down: Colin McGrath, SDLP South Down: Harold McKee, UUP South Down: Caitriona Ruane, Sinn Fein South Down: Jim Wells, DUP Strangford Strangford: Kellie Armstrong, Alliance Strangford: Jonathan Bell, DUP Strangford: Simon Hamilton, DUP Strangford: Michelle McIlveen, DUP Strangford: Mike Nesbitt, UUP Strangford: Philip Smith, UUP Upper Bann Upper Bann: Sydney Alexander Anderson, DUP Upper Bann: Doug Beattie, UUP Upper Bann: Jo-Anne Dobson, UUP Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann: John O’Dowd, Sinn Fein Upper Bann: Catherine Seeley, Sinn Fein West Tyrone West Tyrone: Michaela Boyle, Sinn Fein West Tyrone: Thomas Buchanan, DUP West Tyrone: Ross Hussey, UUP West Tyrone: Declan McAleer, Sinn Fein West Tyrone: Daniel McCrossan, SDLP West Tyrone: Barry McElduff, Sinn Fein “On Tuesday, it became clear the Programme for Government will not be finalised until the end of the year, seven months away. On that basis, our primary test of whether it is a progressive Programme for Government, has failed.
“Our second test was whether we sensed a will to collectively deliver the Programme and that has also failed, as it is clear the DUP and Sinn Fein will retain joint ownership of the Programme for Government.
“Given the evidence that little is about to change, and we face another five years of DUP / Sinn Féin carve up and mutual veto, we are convinced the right thing to do for the country is to forego our entitlements in government and establish an Official Opposition, to both scrutinise the work of the next Executive and offer the electorate something different next time around.
“The decision to go into Opposition was taken unanimously by the Ulster Unionist Assembly Group earlier today.
“This heralds a new era for devolved politics at Stormont, and a big, bold step forward to normal democracy for Northern Ireland.”
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