Peter Robinson steps down from first minister post

By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jan 2016, 12:19 BST
Updated 11th Jan 2016, 20:38 BST
Peter Robinson, who has stepped down as first minister. Photo: Niall Carson/PA WirePeter Robinson, who has stepped down as first minister. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Peter Robinson, who has stepped down as first minister. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Peter Robinson today stepped down as Stormont's first minister.

Mr Robinson said he was leaving the job confident that devolution has been secured for generations to come.

He said it had been a “great privilege” to serve the people as he gave his final speech from the Assembly’s front bench ahead of passing the reins of power to Mrs Foster.

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“When we take a step back and with the perspective of history we can see just how far we have come,” he said.

Arlene Foster arrives with her team in the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings as the 45-year-old from Co Fermanagh becomes the first woman to lead Northern Ireland's powersharing Executive today. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA WireArlene Foster arrives with her team in the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings as the 45-year-old from Co Fermanagh becomes the first woman to lead Northern Ireland's powersharing Executive today. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Arlene Foster arrives with her team in the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings as the 45-year-old from Co Fermanagh becomes the first woman to lead Northern Ireland's powersharing Executive today. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

“We now live in a new era.

“You only have to look around to see the progress that there has been, not just in the physical structures that didn’t exist a decade ago, but in the lives of our people.

“Though we don’t always fully appreciate it, devolution underpins the level of peace and stability we enjoy today. After 35 years of stop-go government, devolution, with local people taking the decisions, is once again the norm.

“That has allowed us the platform to recast Northern Ireland’s international image and to bring in more jobs than at any point in our history. Whereas once tourists avoided coming here we now attract people from all over the world.”

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Arlene Foster arrives with her team in the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings as the 45-year-old from Co Fermanagh becomes the first woman to lead Northern Ireland's powersharing Executive today. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA WireArlene Foster arrives with her team in the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings as the 45-year-old from Co Fermanagh becomes the first woman to lead Northern Ireland's powersharing Executive today. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Arlene Foster arrives with her team in the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings as the 45-year-old from Co Fermanagh becomes the first woman to lead Northern Ireland's powersharing Executive today. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

He added: “I hereby resign the office of First Minister with confidence that the political institutions we have together created will be here for generations to come.”

Mrs Foster then became the first woman appointed to one of the two leading posts in the power-sharing Executive.

The 45-year-old, from Co Fermanagh, has already replaced Mr Robinson as leader of the DUP.

Arlene Foster appointed first minister

Related topics:Peter RobinsonArlene FosterFirst MinisterCo FermanaghDUPNorthern Ireland