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Peter Robinson has resigned as First Minister of Northern Ireland

Just one DUP minister will remain in the Executive.

Updated 6.27pm 

Peter Robinson PA WIRE PA WIRE

PETER ROBINSON HAS announced he is stepping aside as Northern Ireland’s First Minister.

He, along with all DUP ministers except one, have resigned from the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Speaking to the press, Robinson said finance minister Arlene Foster will stay on as temporary first minister.

It was feared this could trigger the fall of the Stormont power-sharing executive, although this could be avoided with the retention of Foster.

Robinson said he asked Foster to take on the role to ensure nationalist and republican parties would be unable to take control of the North’s financial affairs, as it could be “detrimental”.

“As someone who invested many hours trying to bring devolution to Northern Ireland, and to maintain it, I have tried to create space to allow these critical unresolved matters to be dealt with in a structured manner,” Robinson said.

The move follows the party losing a vote to either suspend or adjourn the Executive to resolve the current crisis, sparked by allegations that IRA members were involved in the murder of Kevin McGuigan.

Speaking this evening at the Fine Gael think-in in Adare, Co Limerick, Taoiseach Enda Kenny described it as a “very serious situation”.

The opportunity and the timescale in which to make progress here is very limited now and I would hope that the elected reps of the people of Northern Ireland in their respective parties would accept the responsibility that was given to them by the people to make sure that the institutions of Northern Ireland continue to work and be functional in the interests of people of the north.

Bobby Storey released

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin’s Northern chairman Bobby Storey – who was arrested in connection with McGuigan’s death – has been released from custody.

Currently speaking to the media, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has ruled out suspending the institutions of Northern Ireland, and called on the parties to come together to resolve the issues they face.

She stressed the need to “deal with the issues that have arisen with the continued existence of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland”:

It’s a bad day for the Northern Ireland political process, but it’s also worth remembering that there have been a number of such days over the 20 years since the leadership of Northern Ireland undertook this great process that lead to the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements.

In his speech, Robinson said:

In light of the decision by republicans, nationalists and the UUP to continue with business as usual in the Assembly, I am therefore standing aside as First Minister and other DUP Ministers will resign with immediate effect with the exception of Arlene Foster.

“A sad day for Northern Ireland”

In a statement, the Dáil’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said he “greatly regretted” the decision of the DUP to resign.

“The Irish Government is absolutely committed to the full and effective operation of the Institutions of the Good Friday Agreement,” he said.

Following today’s serious developments, the power-sharing institutions are on the edge of the precipice. I urge Northern Ireland’s political leaders to take a step back and consider the gains achieved over recent years, the benefits to the people of Northern Ireland and what is now at stake.

Flanagan has travelled to Belfast this evening, and speaking to RTÉ News, he described it as a “sad day for Northern Ireland and a bad day for politics”.

Speaking after a meeting with SDLP leaders this morning in Dublin, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the North “is in crisis mode”.

The SDLP, Sinn Féin, and the Ulster Unionists voted against the adjournment.

NI Executive crisis Niall Carson / PA Wire Niall Carson / PA Wire / PA Wire

Kenny said he has told British Prime Minister David Cameron that the Irish government does not support suspension of the Assembly.

Ministers Simon Coveney and Frances Fitzgerald both expressed concern at recent developments.

Coveney noted the short window of opportunity that now exists for the Executive to be saved as new ministers will be selected in just six days, adding that a collapse would be “hugely damaging”.

Fitzgerald said the government “stands ready” to support the talks - ”I appeal to all the parties to come around the table to start talks.”

It is a very grave situation.

She dismissed suggestions that the Irish government ‘took its eye off the ball’

SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell told Drivetime on RTÉ Radio 1:

It is not our responsibility to jump to a DUP tune. They’ve created a crisis and they’re going to have to help to solve the crisis.

The current political impasse has been heightened by yesterday’s arrest of Sinn Féin’s Northern Ireland chairman Bobby Storey over the murder of former IRA prisoner Kevin McGuigan.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson said that “politics is not a court of law” and they need not wait for someone to be convicted to question Sinn Féin’s commitment to peace.

Presenter Audrey Carville put it to the DUP MP that the PSNI have said that they believe the Provisional IRA are no longer involved in terrorism.

In a testy response, Donaldson rejected this saying this may not be the case because the recent arrests were made under the Terrorism Act.

Additional reporting by Rónán Duffy and Hugh O’Connell.

Read: Gerry Adams: Sinn Féin had nothing to do with Kevin McGuigan’s murder >

Read: Peter Robinson is back from his holidays and he’s taking aim at the UUP >

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326 Comments
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    Mute Ken Collins
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    Apr 15th 2015, 7:38 AM

    Their defence of this slaughter is actually a joke in this day and age… We have to kill them to see what they eat and how old they are. Laughable from one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world.

    306
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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Apr 15th 2015, 8:02 PM

    Hindus are still upset that we’re still experimenting on cattle to figure out how tasty the perfect steak is.

    12
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    Mute Mursh
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    Apr 15th 2015, 7:51 AM

    They’ve established that the leading cause of death is a harpoon to the head.

    258
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    Mute Ben Redline
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    Apr 15th 2015, 7:58 AM

    Japan have been whale hunting since the early 1900′s how much research do these fcukers need? and don’t get me started on the Dolphin hunts absolutely disgusting.

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    Mute Sean Barry
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    Apr 15th 2015, 10:33 AM

    you should just mind your own business. Let other countries manage their own affairs and traditions

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    Mute cholly appleseed
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    Apr 15th 2015, 12:33 PM

    Except Sean, Japan has no claim to the whales of the Antarctic.

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    Mute james r
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    Apr 15th 2015, 7:36 AM

    horrific .. should be banned

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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Apr 15th 2015, 9:28 AM

    It is banned, at least for commercial purposes. The Japanese claiming that this is for “research” is obviously an attempt to circumvent the ban on whale hunting.

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    Mute John Ryan
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    Apr 15th 2015, 6:01 PM

    The odd thing is that few in Japan actually eat it anymore. Its a bit like French people not really eating frogs legs and snails. In Japan whale meat is not very popular .

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Apr 15th 2015, 7:39 AM

    Who are these idiots trying to convince? Certainly not the world! Murderers all.

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    Mute john mccarthy
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    Apr 15th 2015, 7:55 AM

    The sea shepherd and captain Paul Watson will be back in action soon. I am always very humbled to know that these people are so dedicated to the conservation of Whales and the lengths they will selflessly go to, to protect them.

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    Mute Justin Credible
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    Apr 15th 2015, 8:37 AM

    Whale Wars is one of the worst tv shows ever made, the whole logic behind the show is flawed. Its all about TV ratings, and not too much about saving whales. They have put peoples lives at risk, and spent a lot of money to save tens of whales, when that money could be spent on a legal team to change the laws on “research killings”, which would save thousands of whales over the decades. The Faroe Island episode was the worst one, as their whaling is actually sustainable, yet it made for good TV for people that believe everything they are fed.

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    Mute brian boru
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    Apr 15th 2015, 8:39 AM

    Faroe Islands whaling is an aberration and the fact that the eu allows it continue is a shocking reality.

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    Mute Live Long
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    Apr 15th 2015, 8:41 AM

    Just because its sustainable doesn’t make it right, fox hunting is sustainable but that’s not an excuse for this savagery. Have you ever seen the whale hunts on the Faroe Islands? Stuff of nightmares.

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    Mute Justin Credible
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    Apr 15th 2015, 8:56 AM

    Why is it an aberration, when its sustainable, and its one of their main sources of food? In the grand scale of things, its very small scale whaling, and is sustainable. The episode of whale wars in the Faroe Island made me agree with the Faroese people over Paul Watson. Yes I have seen the whale hunts on the Faroe Islands, I honestly wouldn’t comment on them unless I had. It not for someone with a weak stomach, however the same can be said about any meat factory. have a look at how chickens are killed!
    You can’t even begin to compare fox hunting to whaling. In modern hunts, its more about a day out with the horses and dogs, its actually rare that any foxes are killed, as they are nocturnal.

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    Mute Live Long
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    Apr 15th 2015, 9:07 AM

    Are you comparing the killing of mindless chickens to the killing of sentient beings like whales. Chickens get it easy compared to the whales who usually drown in their own blood. The islanders don’t need whale meat, they eat it as a delicacy, its just an out dated tradition that fulfils a bloodlust, that has no place in the modern world.

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    Mute Shane Carroll
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    Apr 15th 2015, 9:30 AM

    Hi Justin.
    You say “its actually rare that any foxes are killed, as they are nocturnal.” I regularly see foxes during the day on my walks in the countryside. Why would they be chasing them during the day if they thought there were none about?!!
    “its more about a day out with the horses and dogs,” Yes but with the intention of catching a fox and ripping it to shreds with packs of dogs. A questionable day out pursuit in our modern times.
    Are you not aware of the studies which link animal abuse and manic behavior??
    This is not hunting for food, it is killing for pleasure and i believe it should be banned along with any other activity which involves killing animals for pleasure.

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    Mute Justin Credible
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    Apr 15th 2015, 9:44 AM

    Chickens are also sentient. As are pigs, of which there are over 1.5 million in Ireland, their sole purpose is to be slaughtered and eaten. My points about Paul Watson, and National Geographic are valid though, the Faroese people kill a small number of non endangered whales every year. However, as they are slaughtered in a way that looks horrific to most people, it shocks people into supporting the Sea Shepherd, and males them look like heroes. However, while National Geographic and Paul Watson are spending money making a show against sustainable whaling, the Japanese are still killing endangered whales. If they really cared about saving those whales that need the most help, then that money would be spend on changing the laws, or banning meat from endangered whales in Japan. However, that wouldn’t make for an exciting tv show. Its not just whales that need help, the Japanese are killing thousands of sharks every year too for shark fin soup. Sharks are taken on board a boat, fins cut off, then thrown back alive with no fins to die. But as sharks are seen as “killers”, and not friendly like whales, most people don’t care, so it would be hard to fund a “shark wars” tv show. Whale wars in a nut shell, is and incredibly scripted piece of American garbage, giving the “facts” they want to give, while putting peoples lives at risk.

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    Mute Justin Credible
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    Apr 15th 2015, 9:58 AM

    Shane Carroll, for the record, I don’t go on hunts, I have never even been on a horse! I do come from a farming background though. Yes, you will see foxes during the day time in the summer, but not that many, as they are nocturnal. To see them in the middle of the day is very rare, its usually early in the morning, or late in the evening when the nights are short in the summer. I don’t agree with fox hunting with dogs, but in most hunts, they its rare for them to even see a fox. As I mentioned, the modern hunt is a social event, people don’t go out with the idea of trying to kill as many foxes as they can. If you have ever seen a hunt, take note of the condition of the horses and hounds, they don’t really look like they have been abused. Also, how many people that have pets, will set rat/mouse traps, or poison? Foxes are not killed for pleasure either, its the same as killing mice/rats. If a fox gets into a chicken coop, thats the end of the chickens, also, in spring a new born lamb is a very easy target

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    Mute Shane Carroll
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    Apr 15th 2015, 10:17 AM

    Fair enough that is a good point in relation to farmers and i understand foxes can pose a threat to their livelyhoods.
    However their are other preventative measures and i don’t think that hunting a fox with hounds is a solution to this issue.
    A loose pack of hounds has the potential to do much more damage than a fox ever could!
    Also from the people i know involved in fox hunts, the majority of them have nothing to do with chicken or sheep farming.

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    Mute Justin Credible
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    Apr 15th 2015, 10:40 AM

    I agree, and the horses can do a lot of damage to land in too! A lot of farmers don’t want hunts on their land, for the reasons you mentioned. There is also the issue of liability if somebody gets injured on your land. You are right, most people on the hunts are mainly into horses, a lot wont have chickens or sheep. to be honest, I cant remember the last time I heard of a local hunt actually killing a fox. 30-40 years ago, it would have been different, as it was the main form of keeping the foxes numbers down. Lamping at night with a riffle accounts for the vast majority of foxes being killed now.

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    Mute Lamb
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    Apr 15th 2015, 11:11 AM

    I thought they rammed Sea Shepherd and broke it in 2? Was there another one?

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    Mute Jon Burkin
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    Apr 15th 2015, 7:51 AM

    What’s wrong with us humans!

    56
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Apr 15th 2015, 12:29 PM

    Selfish with the thinking and acting of a virus or cancer, greed, greed and more greed?

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    Mute justanothertaxpayer
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    Apr 15th 2015, 8:34 AM

    1. Exactly how often do whales change their diet that 300+ of them need to be gutted every year for inspection?

    2. Just ban the sale of the whale meat from research. Just force the destruction of the carcass. They will stop spending money chasin, killing and processing them if there is no money in it

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    Mute mcos
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    Apr 15th 2015, 7:59 AM

    Scientific research me arse!!!

    This is a worthwhile, but tough watch -

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P08ay4y-gE0

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    Mute Sean J. Troy
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    Apr 15th 2015, 8:15 AM

    Japan has bought a lot of IWC votes with foreign aid packages. It’s very difficult to eradicate this problem by using official channels. But it needs to stop.

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    Mute Live Long
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    Apr 15th 2015, 8:43 AM

    Its a total shambles, the Japanese cant even give the whale meat away in their own country, they make schools serve it for lunch just to keep a few whalers in a job.

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    Mute Siju Jose
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    Apr 15th 2015, 7:39 AM

    Hum

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    Mute r keane
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    Apr 15th 2015, 9:13 AM

    Good people, bad tastes – only way to really stop it is to embarrass them publicly

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    Mute Duchess d'Punk
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    Apr 15th 2015, 8:25 AM

    awful!

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Apr 15th 2015, 12:28 PM

    I thought it was because whale meat was a delicacy and the fat cats there love eating it, they eat it until all the whales became extinct?

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    Mute John Cross
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    Apr 15th 2015, 5:40 PM

    Easiest way to stop whaling is to run a campaign to stop buying Japanese products if they start whaling again

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