BY AILEEN MURPHY

The historic scenes at Stormont yesterday, Tuesday, morning as devolution was restored to Northern Ireland after five years of suspension were described by one of Fermanagh's Assembly members, as 'stunning'.

The Constituency of Fermanagh/South Tyrone was well represented in the Chamber, with the DUP's Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew, very much centre stage as they were sworn in as Ministers of the Environment and Agriculture respectively.

However, Mrs Foster was in a sombre mood following her appointment as Minister, as she reflected on the empty seat next to her in the chamber, as the result of the death of her party colleague George Dawson. The new Environment Minister is now keen to get down to the challenges ahead: "The pomp and circumstance is all over now, the work starts today," she said. "I am very conscious of the responsibility in my hands and I take it very seriously. A lot of work has been done, but there is still much to do. We have been through a great deal in the last ten years, but I think people have always wanted a fully accountable devolved government, and that's what they have now got."

With a number of major issues falling into her portfolio, including the Review of Public Administration, Environmental Governance, road safety, and planning, Mrs Foster knows the way ahead will involve 'differences', but believes this is what government is all about.

The Constituency's other Minister, Michelle Gildernew, was jubilant following the proceedings: "There was an excellent atmosphere, it's the first time I've been in the Chamber that there hasn't been any negativity. It was a professional and very good working atmosphere."

So how did the Sinn Fein member feel Tuesday differed from the previous Assembly?

She explained: "There is a real hunger for devolution now which probably wasn't there before, I think it's a case of people didn't miss the water until the well ran dry, they didn't miss their local ministers until direct rule was restored.

"There are a lot of challenges ahead but I am looking forward to getting stuck in and making things happen for the rural community. In particular the challenges of the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme and the Single Farm Payment. Over the last few weeks I've been out talking to and listening to people, and it's clear there are major changes in attitude needed within the Department of Agriculture, farmers need to feel the Department is a friend."

For the Ulster Unionist and SDLP members present, Tuesday was something of a paradox, amid pleasure at the return of devolution they also had to deal with the fact the make-up of the chamber has changed dramatically since the dissolution in 2002 when these two parties held the posts of First and Deputy First Ministers.

Tom Elliott, UUP, described the scenes at Stormont as 'stunning'. He said: "Here were sworn enemies who have now all but done everything but kiss and make-up. They have entered into a marriage together but will there be a divorce at the end of it, I don't know. But they have made their bed and now they have got to lie in it."

Mr Elliott welcomed the political progress which had been made, however, he said the scenes at Stormont would be very hard for many victims to watch.

He described the event as 'professional' and said he welcomed the fact there was none of the 'cheering' and 'gloating' which had dominated previous proceedings in Stormont.

In his role as vice-chair of the Agriculture Committee, Mr Elliott will have to work alongside Michelle Gildernew, however neither foresaw any problems with this. Mr Elliott explained it should work for the benefit of the rural community in Fermanagh to have two representatives at this level. He added: "There is the need for a good strong voice for the constituency, and I'm hoping we can provide that. And if decisions are being taken which aren't in the interests of the local farmers then I will be pointing that out."

The SDLP's Tommy Gallagher reflected on a positive mood at Stormont, saying: "There was a feeling of relief, that at long last the DUP are prepared to share power, and we can now have devolution and have accountable elected representative responsible for government here.

"There are now big expectations it will make a difference to the lives of people here, about issues they are worried about such as planning, water charges and rates."

Comparing Tuesday's events, with those in 1998 when Seamus Mallon, and David Trimble took up the roles, Mr Gallagher said yesterday was different, that there was more sense of occasion. He explained in 1998 the nominations had to be made at Castle Buildings as Parliament Buildings wasn't ready, and he believed Tuesday's superb setting, coupled with the representatives from around the world, contributed to the occasion and the feel good factor.

Mr Gallagher explained that although it was a long time coming there really was no alternative to devolution, "every since the all-Ireland referendum in 1998, people expressed their views and it was just a matter of all the political parties coming round to this. There will be difficulties ahead, but there is no going back, everybody will just have to fall into line and get down to the business of government."

Fermanagh's other MLA, Sinn Fein's Gerry McHugh was absent from Stormont for Tuesday's proceedings as he was attending the funeral of his father, James, who died on Sunday.