The Taoiseach has praised Northern Ireland's political parties for their decision to open today's session of the Stormont Assembly with a minute's silence in memory of murdered Ballymena teenager Michael McIlveen.
Speaking at the opening of the offices of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, Bertie Ahern said he had been very impressed by the gesture which he said showed that the politicians wanted to work together for the greater good of the people of Northern Ireland.
Mr Ahern maintained the parties should now move to elect a government as soon as possible and not use up the full six months before the November deadline for the establishment of a new power-sharing administration.
Speaking before entering the assembly, the Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, said his party is dedicated to getting the executive formed as quickly as possible.
Earlier, Northern Ireland's political parties met at Stormont for the first time since devolved government was suspended in 2002.
Eileen Bell, the speaker appointed by Northern Secretary Peter Hain, outlined her plans to the 108 assembly members. Ms Bell told the MLAs that their conduct in the chamber would influence how they were viewed by the public.
Before the chamber adjourned, the Progressive Unionist party leader, David Ervine, aligned himself with the Ulster Unionists.
