The assembly speaker told MLAs sittings of the assembly "are not just another engagement in their diaries". The assembly speaker told MLAs sittings of the assembly "are not just another engagement ...

is the refusal to accept a nationalist first minister ... have. The assembly sitting came one day before thousands of public sector workers in Northern Ireland go on strike over pay and conditions.

Mr Allister added: “This is the most significant vote to be taken in the history of Northern Ireland by an Assembly at Stormont because for the first time ever MLAs are being asked to surrender ...

The First and deputy First Minister ... Meanwhile the SDLP, which forms the official Assembly opposition, said the people of Northern Ireland “deserve better” than a power-sharing Executive ...

Representatives from all parts of Northern Ireland sit in the assembly. They are called Members of the Legislative Assembly, or MLAs. We can vote for these politicians in regional elections.

The IRA was under intense pressure tonight to end all paramilitary activity as Northern Ireland's Assembly and power ... who will be stripped of his powers as First Minister, was philosophical ...