Paisley's Hopes For Power-Sharing

The 'grandfather' of the North's biggest party, the DUP, has lauded Sinn Féin's commitment to power-sharing, and the republican party's fervent denouncing of dissident terrorist activity.

Speaking to RTÉ, the former Democratic Unionist leader and Northern Ireland First Minister, Ian Paisley has said he hoped simmering tensions between his successor Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness would "steady".

In March, Mr McGuinness condemned the Real IRA murders of two British soldiers in Antrim, followed two days later by the Continuity IRA killing of a serving PSNI officer.

The Deputy First Minister branded dissidents elements "traitors to the island of Ireland".

Mr Robinson and Mr McGuniness's relationship is said to have deteriorated over the proposed transition of policing and justice powers from London.

Although an estimated £1bn funding package has been agreed, no consensus has been reached on a timetable for devolution.

Sinn Féin has said the new department should be established as soon as possible, while the DUP has insisted there must be confidence in the institutions from the unionist community.

Mr Paisley told RTÉ: "What encourages me is the fact that, so far, the Sinn Feiners have kept their word and there's no doubt that there's a hatred coming to them from people that once were with them."

The DUP MLA and North Antrim MP said he and Mr McGuinness enjoyed a good working relationship.

"I think there's no reason why that relationship should not steady itself with Peter in a minefield that is very explosive in Ulster politics and they need to work with great care," he added.

"I don't think that the majority of Roman Catholics and the majority of Protestants would go back to what we had. There's a great relief, people are beginning to get back to normality."

(PR/BMcc)