Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley took up their positions at the head of a power-sharing Executive in the Six Counties on Tuesday in the latest historic chapter of the Irish peace process. The ministers who will run the Executive were nominated in the first sitting of the Assembly in five years. Free article

An Phoblacht's LAURA FRIEL was at Stormont on Tuesday to witness the extraordinary scenes as Ministers in the new, power-sharing Six County Executive took office. Here, she gives her personal observations and feelings of a momentous day in Irish politics. Free article

The demand that the unprecedented prosperity witnessed in the 26 Counties in recent years be used to eliminate poverty and create a fairer society was the over-riding theme as Sinn Féin launched the economic policy section of its general election manifesto last Sunday in Dublin. Free article

As Irish republicans move onto the new terrain of joint government with the DUP and prepare to confront new political challenges, the air of expectancy is tinged with the realities of the past and the suffering republicans have experienced through decades of war. Free article

Sinn Féin launched proposals for a major government-led housing programme on Wednesday which the party said it was committed to delivering in government. Free article

The republican women who were behind the Macalla na mBan project deserved every bit of praise that was heaped upon them last Thursday evening, 3 May after the official opening of the Women's Garden of Remembrance in the Roddy McCorley club in Belfast. Free article