Northern Ireland Assembly Election: 30/01/2017

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0:00:10 > 0:00:13Just last May, you gave my party a mandate to lead Northern Ireland

0:00:13 > 0:00:16and I was honoured and humbled to become your First Minister.

0:00:16 > 0:00:20Back then, I asked for your support for my five-point plan

0:00:20 > 0:00:23for Northern Ireland and you gave it to me.

0:00:23 > 0:00:26Eight months on, my priority for Northern Ireland

0:00:26 > 0:00:29remains building a better society for everyone,

0:00:29 > 0:00:33with more jobs, greater opportunity for our young people,

0:00:33 > 0:00:35the highest standard of education

0:00:35 > 0:00:38and a health service that delivers for all who need it.

0:00:38 > 0:00:42A Northern Ireland moving forward and moving on from the conflict

0:00:42 > 0:00:47and division of the past, safe and secure in the United Kingdom.

0:00:47 > 0:00:49That is my focus and my priority.

0:00:49 > 0:00:51It is why I got into politics.

0:00:51 > 0:00:54It is what motivates me to keep going.

0:00:55 > 0:00:58The present difficulties endanger all that has been achieved,

0:00:58 > 0:01:01but I am determined to do what is right

0:01:01 > 0:01:04and work to move us all to a better future.

0:01:05 > 0:01:07The last few months have not been easy.

0:01:07 > 0:01:11Allegations have been made about me and my colleagues

0:01:11 > 0:01:15and I am pleased that a full independent public inquiry

0:01:15 > 0:01:19into the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme has now been set up

0:01:19 > 0:01:22and cost control measures have been agreed.

0:01:23 > 0:01:27More than anyone, I want to get to the truth of what happened

0:01:27 > 0:01:30and I will not run from my responsibilities.

0:01:30 > 0:01:35I want us to resolve this situation and make politics work,

0:01:35 > 0:01:39but, in reality, the RHI has not caused this election.

0:01:39 > 0:01:43This election has been caused by Sinn Fein.

0:01:43 > 0:01:45It is designed to weaken unionism.

0:01:45 > 0:01:48They want to overturn the May election result -

0:01:48 > 0:01:51to try to gain a Sinn Fein First Minister

0:01:51 > 0:01:53and advance their republican agenda.

0:01:53 > 0:01:56In recent years, and particularly since May,

0:01:56 > 0:01:59we have made progress on making life better for all.

0:02:01 > 0:02:03This is an election that will decide

0:02:03 > 0:02:05the future direction of Northern Ireland.

0:02:05 > 0:02:09The election presents an important choice facing us all -

0:02:09 > 0:02:13the choice between keeping Northern Ireland moving forward

0:02:13 > 0:02:17to a strong, prosperous future, secure in the United Kingdom,

0:02:17 > 0:02:20or taking us the wrong direction, with a strengthened Sinn Fein

0:02:20 > 0:02:24pushing even harder for a united Ireland.

0:02:24 > 0:02:26That is why I am asking for your support -

0:02:26 > 0:02:29to build on the start we have made

0:02:29 > 0:02:32and to help keep Northern Ireland moving forward

0:02:32 > 0:02:35to a more secure future for us all.

0:02:35 > 0:02:38I am asking that you once again support me

0:02:38 > 0:02:42by voting DUP on Thursday the 2nd of March.