N. IRELAND: NEW ASSEMBLY - PREPARATIONS (4)

(30 Nov 1999) English/Nat

Legislation clearing the way for the transfer of government powers from London to the new Northern Ireland Assembly is due to go through the British Parliament on Tuesday.

It will clear the way for Northern Ireland's devolved power-sharing government to start work.

On Tuesday morning, the newly appointed ministers from the unionist, nationalist and republican parties arrived at Stormont for a series of committee meetings preparing for the historic shift of power.

Northern Ireland's First Minster, David Trimble, of the Ulster Unionist party met with his newly re-appointed deputy, Seamus Mallon, of the Social Democratic Labour Party.

Meanwhile, other ministers were settling into their new posts among them Bairbre de Brun of Sinn Fein who is the new health minister.

She said it was going to take some time for her to adjust to her new role.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It's quite startling, I think most people leaving the chamber looked slightly shell-shocked as the session ended very quickly someone approached me and said "Minister your private secretary is outside", and suddenly you have a level of responsibility to take on board for people outside that you didn't have."
SUPER CAPTION: Bairbre de Brun, Health Minister designate

Already ministers are having to accept the responsibilities of office.

Bairbre de Brun wouldn't comment on rumoured cuts to the health service budget for Northern Ireland.

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