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Arlene Foster: Northern Ireland will never see the like of Martin McGuinness again

 Arlene Foster signs the book of condolences at Stormont for Martin McGuinness
 Arlene Foster signs the book of condolences at Stormont for Martin McGuinness  Arlene Foster signs the book of condolences at Stormont for Martin McGuinness

DUP leader Arlene Foster said Martin McGuinness's legacy was "complex and challenging".

The former first minister who is undecided as to whether she would attend Martin McGuinness's funeral, said it was doubtful Northern Ireland would "ever see his like again".

She said his death was "hugely difficult" for victims as it had brought up painful memories from the Troubles.

"I would never seek to minimise the very real pain they are going through," she said.

"Indeed I understand that pain and I empathise with all those innocent victims throughout Northern Ireland.

Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill speaking in the Assembly:

Video courtesy of BBC

"But I do recognise also that there are many republicans and nationalists who look to Martin as a leader, friend or mentor who will be feeling a very real sense of loss that he has died in this way at the relatively young age of 66."

First Minister Arlene Foster pays tribute to Martin McGuinness during a special sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly
First Minister Arlene Foster pays tribute to Martin McGuinness during a special sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly First Minister Arlene Foster pays tribute to Martin McGuinness during a special sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly

The DUP leader, who signed the book of condolences for Mr McGuinness, said history would have the "final say" on him.

She said while she would also condemn his IRA past she did acknowledge his contribution to devolved government.

"It is precisely because of his past, because of his involvement with the IRA in the 70s and 80s because of his influence within those circles that he was able to play the role he played in bringing the republican movement towards using peaceful and democratic means and because of all of that I doubt we will ever see his like again," she said.

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long speaks about Martin McGuinness

Mrs Foster said those who claimed Northern Ireland had not changed were wrong.

"Things have fundamentally changed since I was growing up in the 70s and 80s and changed immeasurably for the better and Martin McGuinness did play a role which I will always condemn in the 70s and 80s but I also have to acknowledge the role that he played over this last decade and more in government in Northern Ireland," she said.

Mrs Foster concluded her remarks by quoting Mr McGuinness's favourite poet, Seamus Heaney, saying: "So hope for a great sea change, on the far side of revenge.

"Believe that further shore is reachable from here."

Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill and the DUP leader Arlene Foster stand side by side but will they be abe to get the institutions up and running again?
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill and the DUP leader Arlene Foster stand side by side but will they be abe to get the institutions up and running again? Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill and the DUP leader Arlene Foster stand side by side but will they be abe to get the institutions up and running again?

Mr McGuinness's successor as Sinn Fein's Stormont leader, Michelle O'Neill, paid emotional tribute at the start of the Assembly session in Belfast.

She hailed him as a "political visionary" and "gifted strategist and orator".

"For the Sinn Fein MLAs in this chamber and for the Irish republican family across this island and beyond he was our leader, he was our inspiration, our role model and he was, above all else, our dear and valued friend," she said.

"So it is with a broken heart but with a heart that is bursting with pride that I have the honour and privilege to pay tribute to him today."

She added: "His leadership and the example he set will continue to inspire those of us who are determined to build a better future for all the generations to come."

MLAs gather for a special assembly meeting to mark the death of Martin McGuinness 
MLAs gather for a special assembly meeting to mark the death of Martin McGuinness  MLAs gather for a special assembly meeting to mark the death of Martin McGuinness 

Mrs O'Neill said Mr McGuinness always challenged party colleagues to reach out to those from a unionist tradition.

She noted in his last public statement he urged people to choose "hope over fear".

"The legacy that Martin wished was for a better future based on equality and measured by the joy and laughter of all of our children," she said.

"So on behalf of Sinn Fein I rededicate our party to completing his life's work and to living through his legacy."

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire will attend Mr McGuinness's funeral as a representative of the UK Government, said Downing Street.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said Mr McGuinness's journey "started in violence, but ended up very much grounded in principles of peace and partnership".

He praised Mr McGuinness for his "generosity of spirit", but added it was also important to remember the victims of the Troubles.

"We have the opportunity to do what Martin McGuinness would have wanted us to do. Go down to Stormont Castle and finish the job."

SDLP leader Colm Eastwood on his way to a special Assembly meeting in memory of Martin McGuinness
SDLP leader Colm Eastwood on his way to a special Assembly meeting in memory of Martin McGuinness SDLP leader Colm Eastwood on his way to a special Assembly meeting in memory of Martin McGuinness

Ulster Unionist Mike Nesbitt said it would be "dishonest" of him "to ignore the pain of the victims of the IRA".

But he added: "History will also reflect on Martin McGuinness as more than an IRA commander. History will be very positive about his motivation as a politician.

"If unionism has anything to learn from Martin McGuinness it is the importance of outreach. He reached outside his comfort zone on many occasions but unionism didn't always reciprocate."

Alliance leader Naomi Long paid tribute to Mr McGuinness for his "pivotal role in bringing the violent campaign to an end and moving us to the place we are in today".

She added: "I want to acknowledge there are those who suffered, who today will find this a very difficult time."

Jim Allister of the TUV said his thoughts were primarily with the victims of the IRA.

"Thus I come to note the death of Martin McGuinness, not to praise him," he added.

An unhappy Jim Allister with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness at the counting of ballots cast in the 2011 European elections in Northern Ireland 
An unhappy Jim Allister with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness at the counting of ballots cast in the 2011 European elections in Northern Ireland  An unhappy Jim Allister with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness at the counting of ballots cast in the 2011 European elections in Northern Ireland 

Books of condolences for the former deputy first minister have opened across Ireland.

At the Belfast signing, DUP councillor and Orangeman Brian Kingston said Mr McGuinness will be associated with "appalling suffering", but also "with peaceful and democratic processes".

The Belfast Lord Mayor added: "Along with other members of the council I wish to express my condolences to his family at this sad time. On a personal level, I look back at the life of MM with mixed feelings. He will be remembered for his involvement in violence and terrorism.

"He will also be remembered for his involvement in democratic politics and the rejection of violence."