15/09/2014 Stormont Today

First Minister, Ian Paisley, who

aside party politics to recognise suspended as MLAs, in the main, set

He no work must be carried on. The man he

I Northern Ireland.

And Allister, pointed out Ian Paisley's

The former First Minister, who listened carefully to today's

were present - instead, they were who might have expected to be there

were present - instead, they were reflecting on his decades of

were present - instead, they were and, some of them at least,

sharing office with his old from seeking to smash Sinn Fein to

sharing office with his old none with the significance of

sharing office with his old for the decision he made seven

sharing office with his old ago

sharing office with his old this building

sharing office with his old possible that

sharing office with his old have been

tributes that we heard? tributes that we heard?

tributes that we heard? spoke well. Jim Allister made an

tributes that we heard? interesting speech.

tributes that we heard? out with them.

tributes that we heard? person

tributes that we heard? differences. Most of the MLAs

tributes that we heard? decided

tributes that we heard? of

tributes that we heard? sentiments in terms of

tributes that we heard? there was

tributes that we heard? appear

tributes that we heard? might have

there. It was a strange occasion, there. It was a strange occasion,

there. It was a strange occasion, did not see

there. It was a strange occasion, funeral

there. It was a strange occasion, modern-day unionism.

there. It was a strange occasion, involvement of the Church or the

there. It was a strange occasion, party

there. It was a strange occasion, the union lag.

there. It was a strange occasion, But it

there. It was a strange occasion, atmosphere.

there. It was a strange occasion, It must

there. It was a strange occasion, family friends.

there. It was a strange occasion, very

there. It was a strange occasion, Yes. The

there. It was a strange occasion, share with us

there. It was a strange occasion, got

there. It was a strange occasion, little

there. It was a strange occasion, of

controversial figures Northern their memories of one of the most

Peter Robinson, spoke first.

man provided

leadership when

stage for his oratory ranged from stage for his oratory ranged from

stage for his oratory ranged from holes

stage for his oratory ranged from Westminster.

stage for his oratory ranged from place in his

stage for his oratory ranged from He

stage for his oratory ranged from are stirred by his injunction to

stage for his oratory ranged from finish the course

stage for his oratory ranged from in the land he

experiences with him. The

Paisley and me into the Office of and I were involved in brought Ian

for that year. From the word go, for life to be in that office with him

for that year. From the word go, for constructive working relationship,

incredible for people who, grew to like each other, and that is

Klerk had died

Mandela, what

better future.

that

with him.

The McGuinness paying his respects in

The said

The to the weekend,

The with

The hoping

The speedy

The taken by

The from the

The McCausland, should we read anything

The into that? Not

The the

The the chamber there was an opportunity

The of condolence in the Great Hall.

distinctive official

sits at

brought that down so he was

as a presence

from Sinn Fein

and

members of the public to

Hall

without bringing

people were speculating

over Parliament

not

subject

stipulation

half-mast

there has

protocol

of Culture and I am advised

they talk about flying

half-mast

today is the day of his funeral.

Thank

Despite fundamental political years over 40, but it is a while.

that defied political differences. and an enduring personal friendship

that defied political differences. with

that defied political differences. to terms with this sad loss.

some of us will maybe be able to at various speeds,

There is a husband, a father and a left with a big gap in their lives.

This week, Eileen Paisley finds for longer than many Members

My personal relationship with not having a husband to turn to

say that interviewing Ian Paisley than as a politician, and I have to

he chaired, and

that all was not always

be, but within the

to

down the table

gentleman will now ask a

and a

colleague Francie Molloy, he

that

the

it that he could see there was a

need for change, he

part of

sought

that view,

party along with others.

a remarkable political journey.

at the journey from being of it, one can but marvel

Ian Ian Paisley,

It made him into a renowned in this land without equal.

and the party leaders at Stormont. and Deputy First Ministers

and the party leaders at Stormont. other MLAs to pay their tributes.

I think that members will agree that of those who spoke during the

I think that members will agree that a strident, foreboding character,

I think that members will agree that will also hold valued memories

on the election campaign trail, combined with his sense of humour,

This is a time for respect, Ian Paisley as our former

power-sharing, this Assembly would Paisley saying yes and embracing

When I stood there that day as that I will never forget either.

for his autograph, which she got. went up to Ian Paisley and asked

for his autograph, which she got. of different things throughout her

room, up on her noticeboard was but when we were clearing out her

in our peace process. the role that he has played

in Church or in state. of the stature of Ian Paisley either

in Church or in state. and the Big Man,

It was a privilege presence filled the room.

I will always be proud to have many, many precious memories.

Ian Paisley all my life, as a young

boy he came

dedicate me,

child

christened,

after

with some pictures of Ian Paisley's

Assembly when he sat with Martin historic first day of the 2007

Assembly when he sat with Martin and his inaugural Question Time

to his final farewell to journalists

beloved

few

Northern

emphasise

different.

only allowed the

settle the matter without the

interference

their weight alone, we would all

have come to this day

A

Ireland act

night knowing the future

not

of a poster

I

have.

that

of the office

responses agreed with Martin

McGuinness,

to

process in

behind

government

Ireland

go

foundations for. This

into freedom and peace.

kiss!