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07/11/2007
Paisley’s US Trip Highlights Executive ‘Staying Power’
Next month’s trip to the USA by the Stomont Executive’s First and Deputy First Minister Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness - when the pair will be hosted by US President, George Bush – is further evidence that, after six months in office, there is little sign of either slowing down – in spite of Paisley’s age.
Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness will travel to New York and Washington, culminating in a meeting with Mr Bush in the White House. This will be their first visit together to the US. The trip will seek to strengthen US support for the powersharing Northern Executive, and persuade US businesspeople that "Northern Ireland is a good place in which to invest".
However, some division over the medium term future of the top team has emerged: "We have to take advantage of what we have achieved because our novelty value isn't going to last for ever, and it's also fair to say that Ian Paisley won't be in a position to keep flying around the world," a Stormont source is quoted as saying - while Dr Paisley himself has quite another view.
The 81 year-old First Minister has separately insisted that he is not for slowing down and still intends to serve his full four-year term.
In an exclusive interview with UTV Live to mark six months in office he confirmed that he’s not for retiring and also attacked critics who accuse him of being 'too happy', particularly when he is pictured with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness.
UTV Political Editor Ken Reid asked Dr Paisley if he was still determined to see out the full four years as First Minister.
He replied: "Oh yes, indeed I am. I feel well. I am very well received everywhere I go.
"I have sought to show a human face amidst all the troubles. I have never met a Prime Minister who has been accused of being too happy, but that is what I am accused of.
"So you have a happy First Minister. They should be very happy they have a happy First Minister and that I am not some miserable sod sitting up here in Stormont planning some way to bring disaster to the country."
Martin McGuinness also remains busy and recently visited the US as part of the drive to attract US chief executives to Belfast, while Economy Minister Nigel Dodds will visit the US east coast ahead of the Paisley/McGuinness meeting with Mr Bush.
A central element of the planned US trip will be to help lay the foundations for the major investment conference scheduled for next May in Belfast.
(BMcC)
Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness will travel to New York and Washington, culminating in a meeting with Mr Bush in the White House. This will be their first visit together to the US. The trip will seek to strengthen US support for the powersharing Northern Executive, and persuade US businesspeople that "Northern Ireland is a good place in which to invest".
However, some division over the medium term future of the top team has emerged: "We have to take advantage of what we have achieved because our novelty value isn't going to last for ever, and it's also fair to say that Ian Paisley won't be in a position to keep flying around the world," a Stormont source is quoted as saying - while Dr Paisley himself has quite another view.
The 81 year-old First Minister has separately insisted that he is not for slowing down and still intends to serve his full four-year term.
In an exclusive interview with UTV Live to mark six months in office he confirmed that he’s not for retiring and also attacked critics who accuse him of being 'too happy', particularly when he is pictured with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness.
UTV Political Editor Ken Reid asked Dr Paisley if he was still determined to see out the full four years as First Minister.
He replied: "Oh yes, indeed I am. I feel well. I am very well received everywhere I go.
"I have sought to show a human face amidst all the troubles. I have never met a Prime Minister who has been accused of being too happy, but that is what I am accused of.
"So you have a happy First Minister. They should be very happy they have a happy First Minister and that I am not some miserable sod sitting up here in Stormont planning some way to bring disaster to the country."
Martin McGuinness also remains busy and recently visited the US as part of the drive to attract US chief executives to Belfast, while Economy Minister Nigel Dodds will visit the US east coast ahead of the Paisley/McGuinness meeting with Mr Bush.
A central element of the planned US trip will be to help lay the foundations for the major investment conference scheduled for next May in Belfast.
(BMcC)
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Ahead of tomorrow's planned meeting with US President, George Bush, Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers are now meeting congressmen and senators as they continue their high profile investment drive in the US – and are urging support for an Ulster 'rally'.
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Ian Paisley Announces The End Is Nigh
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Ian Paisley Announces The End Is Nigh
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Paisley Senior Pushed By Party
Ian Paisley is facing a new bout of pressure to step down as the leader of the DUP from his own party. There is growing speculation senior members of his party are considering plans to see the now 82 year-old politician to conclude his leadership amid further controversy surrounding Ian Paisley Jnr.
Paisley Senior Pushed By Party
Ian Paisley is facing a new bout of pressure to step down as the leader of the DUP from his own party. There is growing speculation senior members of his party are considering plans to see the now 82 year-old politician to conclude his leadership amid further controversy surrounding Ian Paisley Jnr.
26 February 2008
Donaldson Made Junior Minister
A relative 'new boy' to the Democratic Unionist Party, Co Down MP Jeffrey Donaldson has been sworn in as Northern Ireland's new Junior Minister. A former Ulster Unionist, Mr Donaldson, who is the Lagan Valley MP, defected to the DUP in 2004 after a high-profile fall-out with his then party leader, David (now Lord Trimble).
Donaldson Made Junior Minister
A relative 'new boy' to the Democratic Unionist Party, Co Down MP Jeffrey Donaldson has been sworn in as Northern Ireland's new Junior Minister. A former Ulster Unionist, Mr Donaldson, who is the Lagan Valley MP, defected to the DUP in 2004 after a high-profile fall-out with his then party leader, David (now Lord Trimble).
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
