Outgoing SDLP leader Mark Durkan has used an emotional farewell speech to colleagues to insist that while his party was central to ending the Troubles, it remained vital to building a new future in the North for all.
Speaking at his party's conference in Newcastle, Co Down, the Foyle MP welcomed the date that had been set for the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.
The former finance minister in the Stormont Executive now plans to concentrate on his role at Westminster.
The decision about his departure was announced last September.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen was to address a celebration dinner this evening before the party selects a new leader tomorrow.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, and Labour's Joan Burton also attended the conference.
Before relinquishing his role, Mr Durkan hit out at how the new justice post will most likely fall to the Alliance Party after the Hillsborough deal set out a timetable for the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster, but confirmed that neither the DUP or Sinn Féin will take on the new role.
He also said said the power-sharing government was being mismanaged by the DUP and Sinn Féin, while the scandal over MPs' expenses eroded public confidence in politicians.
The leadership battle is being fought by social development minister Margaret Ritchie and South Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell. The outcome of the contest will be known tomorrow.
Mr Durkan is a life-long politician and former student union leader.
The youngest of seven children, he was reared by his mother Isobel after his father Brendan, a Royal Ulster Constabulary inspector, was killed in a road accident.
He lives in Derry and helped regenerate the Irish nationalist party after the end of Nobel Laureate John Hume's period as leader.
When Mr Durkan took over the leadership he was the only contender and his coronation followed the devastating 2001 election which saw Sinn Féin overtake the SDLP, winning Westminster seats in West Tyrone and Fermanagh-South Tyrone.
However, in 2005 he held the Foyle MP's seat against a strong challenge from the rival nationalist party and saw Mr McDonnell returned against the odds in a largely unionist area.
