Michelle O'Neill at Stormont

New Northern Ireland first minister Michelle O'Neill making her first speech in the Assembly Chamber

Transcript

00:00 First Minister, as someone who represents that good 40 agreement generation, and someone

00:04 who will lead us into the next 25 years, I'm also an Ulster woman, a Tyrone woman, a deeply

00:10 proud Irish and European citizen. And this is an historic day, and it does represent

00:17 a new dawn. For the very first time, a nationalist takes up the position of First Minister. That

00:24 such a day would ever come was unimaginable to my parents' and grandparents' generation.

00:30 But because of the good 40 agreement, that old state that they were born into is now

00:35 gone, and a more democratic and a more equal society exists. And this is now a better place

00:42 for all of us. This place that we call home, that we all love, the north of Ireland, Northern

00:49 Ireland, where you can be British, Irish, both or none, is all a changing portrait.

00:55 But yesterday is gone. Today is a new day. And I think my appointment today reflects

01:01 the change that's happening.

01:04 I am a Republican. I will serve everyone equally and be a First Minister for all. To all of

01:10 you who are British and Unionist, your national identity, your cultures, your traditions are

01:17 important to me. I will be both inclusive and respectful to you all. None of us are

01:23 being asked to surrender who we are. Our allegiances are equally legitimate. But let's walk this

01:29 two-way street together. Let's meet one another halfway. I will be doing so with an open hand

01:37 and also with heart.

01:38 [BLANK_AUDIO]