Incoming DUP leader Edwin Poots has insisted he had no intention whatsoever of putting Stormont's powersharing institutions at risk.
Mr Poots told the PA news agency he wanted to see all outstanding commitments in the New Decade, New Approach agreement implemented, including the Irish language act and the Military Covenant.
"There's no risk to the institutions coming from Edwin Poots," he said.
"The damage that was done to the institutions historically has been from Sinn Féin. They collapsed them for three years from 2016 to 2019.
"That is something that was hugely divisive, did massive damage to the health service because our waiting lists spiralled in that period and they would need to reflect if that is a route that they wish to go down.
"I have no intention whatsoever of taking any actions that will damage institutions here in the Northern Ireland Assembly."
Asked if he stood by the commitments his party had made in the 2020 NDNA agreement, including legislation for Irish language speakers, Mr Poots replied: "I wish to see all NDNA commitments fulfilled, including the Military Covenant."
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