By Adrian Mullan

Local politicians have been giving their reaction to the announcement by DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams that an executive will be formed on May 8.

West Tyrone DUP MLA Tom Buchanan said that that the May date will allow for a stable and lasting Assembly.

"The DUP has always said that we would not be bound by artificially set government deadlines which are not related to the reality of the political situation in Northern Ireland," said Mr Buchanan.

"The March 26 deadline was not met because the conditions for devolution were not achievable by that date and, therefore, the DUP was mandated to break through that deadline and not support the restoration of devolution on that date.

"The decision was one for our party executive, which overwhelmingly supported a resolution that, whilst not able to support devolution on March 26, recognised that an executive could be established in May. The resolution also mandated the party to carry out work in the intervening period to ensure that the delay was not simply wasted time but used valuably to ensure all parties deliver on their commitments and to prepare for the work of a future executive.

"We have ensured that in May there can be a fully accountable Executive and Assembly established... We have committed ourselves to taking the ministry in the Department of Finance and Personnel in order to deal with issues such as water-charging. People must see the benefits which devolution can deliver, and that will be the ultimate test of success or failure on which we will be judged."

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff welcomed the political breakthrough at Stormont on Monday and hailed it as "historic".

"I welcome the unequivocal commitment made by the DUP party to the restoration of political institutions on Tuesday, May 8. Monday at Stormont certainly was an historic day in terms of Irish politics. As everyone knows, people should not be too quick to use the term 'historic' but what happened on Monday does come up to the mark.

"While it is disappointing that the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement have not been restored this week, I believe the agreement reached between Sinn Féin and the DUP does represent the beginning of a new era in Irish politics.

"There is now huge potential for politics to develop and work properly and everyone in Ireland will be a winner.

"On a personal note, the May 8 date reminds me of the suffering which visited many families and many communities in the course of the recent conflict because that date marks the 20th anniversary of the deaths of nine people, including eight IRA Volunteers, at Loughgall, Co. Armagh."

Omagh Ulster Unionist Cllr Ross Hussey, meanwhile, said he never doubted that Ian Paisley would go into government with Sinn Féin.

"It was clear to every one that Ian Paisley wanted to finish his time as a politician as Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and there is no doubting that the people of Northern Ireland voted in their thousands to put him and his party in to power. Why delay? Simply, because the DUP said they were not going to be date led and the 6 weeks gives them some breathing space. Sinn Fein were quite happy for the delay as May 8 is nearer the Irish elections and again heightens their profile for that event."