Martin McGuinness death: Northern Ireland Assembly marks passing of veteran republican

Sinn Fein Northern Ireland Leader, Michelle O'Neill, signs a book of condolence for Martin McGuinness. Pic PA

By Jonny Bell

The Northern Ireland Assembly paid its respect to Martin McGuinness after his death.

MLAs paid tribute to Mr McGuinness, who served for most of the last decade in the Executive. He was described as an "integral" part of the devolved institutions since their formation in 1998.

Sinn Fein's leader at Stormont Michelle said she was proud to pay her respects to "our dear and valued friend".

"His leadership and example he set will inspire all of us and for generations to come," she said.

DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein Northern Ireland Leader, Michelle O'Neill (L), sign a book of condolence for Martin McGuinness. PIC PA

Sinn Fein Northern Ireland Leader, Michelle O'Neill, signs a book of condolence for Martin McGuinness. Pic PA

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader, and former Northern Ireland First Minister, Arlene Foster, signs a book of condolence for former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, in the Great Hall of the Parliament Buildings, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly, on the Stormont Estate in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on March 22, 2017. Northern Ireland's former deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a one-time Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander who later helped negotiate an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland, died on Tuesday aged 66. / AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALLBEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - MARCH 22: Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill and (DUP) Arlene Foster wait as Colum Eastwood, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party signs a book of condolence at Stormont on March 22, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland's Former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness died overnight on Monday 20th March 2017. He was once chief of staff of the IRA and became Sinn Fein's chief negotiator in the talks that led to the Good Friday agreement bringing peace to Northern Ireland. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader, and former Northern Ireland First Minister, Arlene Foster (R), and Sinn Fein Northern Ireland Leader, Michelle O'Neill, wait to sign a book of condolence for former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, in the Great Hall of the Parliament Buildings, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly, on the Stormont Estate in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on March 22, 2017. Northern Ireland's former deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a one-time Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander who later helped negotiate an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland, died on Tuesday aged 66. / AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALLBEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images

"Martin set the standard."

DUP leader Arlene Foster said that while Mr McGuinness' legacy was complex and challenging, it was "unlikely we will ever see his like again."

"He never sought to airbrush the past - and neither did I," she said.

"Some people make the throwaway comment that nothing has changed in Northern Ireland. But that is wrong."

TUV leader Jim Allister said his thoughts were with the victims and Mr McGuinness' hands were "covered in blood" and he had denied justice to victims by taking his secrets to the grave.

A book of condolence for the former Deputy First Minister, who passed away in the early hours of yesterday morning at the age of 66, was opened in the great hall following the hearing.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams (R) and Northern Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill (L) lay the Irish flag on the coffin of former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness before it is processed through the Bogside neighbourhood of Derry to his family home on March 21, 2017. AFP/Getty Images

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Londonderry by Gerry Adams and Michelle O'Neill after he died aged 66. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Michelle O'Neill, stand over the coffin of former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness as it is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is placed on a stand as it is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

Books were also opened at Belfast City Hall and the Guildhall in Londonderry.

Meanwhile, negotiations to restore devolution continued at Stormont yesterday despite the passing of Mr McGuinness.

Several sources said meetings are likely to continue over the coming days - with the Assembly due to meet again on Monday to attempt to elect a First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

Secretary of State James Brokenshire said he remained "cautiously optimistic".

DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein Northern Ireland Leader, Michelle O'Neill (L), sign a book of condolence for Martin McGuinness. PIC PA

DUP leader, and former Northern Ireland First Minister, Arlene Foster, signs a book of condolence for former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. Pic PA

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader, and former Northern Ireland First Minister, Arlene Foster, signs a book of condolence for former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, in the Great Hall of the Parliament Buildings, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly, on the Stormont Estate in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on March 22, 2017. Northern Ireland's former deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a one-time Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander who later helped negotiate an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland, died on Tuesday aged 66. / AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALLBEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader, and former Northern Ireland First Minister, Arlene Foster (R), and Sinn Fein Northern Ireland Leader, Michelle O'Neill, wait to sign a book of condolence for former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, in the Great Hall of the Parliament Buildings, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly, on the Stormont Estate in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on March 22, 2017. Northern Ireland's former deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a one-time Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander who later helped negotiate an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland, died on Tuesday aged 66. / AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALLBEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images

A book of condolence was opened in the Great Hall of the Parliament Buildings. Pic PA

Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly pass Flowers an image of former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness inside the Great Hall of the Parliament Buildings, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly, on the Stormont Estate in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on March 22, 2017. Northern Ireland's former deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a one-time Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander who later helped negotiate an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland, died on Tuesday aged 66. / AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALLBEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images

A book of condolence was opened in the Great Hall of the Parliament Buildings. Pic PA

A book of condolence was opened in the Great Hall of the Parliament Buildings. Pic PA

Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill looks on as colleagues pay 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.

Alliance leader Naomi Long pays tribute to Martin McGuinness during a special sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Mike Nesbitt pays tribute to Martin McGuinness during a special sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood 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.

Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill looks on as colleagues pay tribute to Martin McGuinness during a special sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly.