New Belfast office
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were among the guests at the official opening of the Press Association's new Belfast office.
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde, Belfast Lord Mayor Tom Hartley as well as Bruce Robinson, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service also attended. The office is on the first floor of the Scottish Provident Building at Donegall Square West over looking City Hall.
Mr Robinson, Mr McGuinness and Mr Hartley both paid tribute to the agency's impartiality and accuracy in reporting affairs, especially matters of a politically sensitive nature at Parliament Buildings, Stormont where the Press Association has an office headed up by deputy Ireland editor Steven McCaffery.
Editors from all the main newspapers and broadcasting organisations in Belfast as well as leading Public Relations representatives also heard Press Association Ireland Editor Deric Henderson speak of dramatic changes in the Northern Ireland new agenda since the formation of the new powersharing administration at the Stormont Assembly. He said: "The Press enjoy a reasonable relationship with all sides. From time to time there can be tensions - as there should and needs to be. But by and large it's fairly civilised and long may that continue."
