Praise for progress at the opening of RTE in Belfa

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Northern Ireland has put tragedy behind it and become a beacon of hope to the world, Taoiseach Brian Cowen declared last night.

The Premier made his comments at the opening of the new Northern Irish headquarters of the Republic's state broadcaster RTE in Belfast last night.

He was joined by Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, with all three men hailing the new venture as a further positive sign of economic growth.

"Around the world today Northern Ireland is heralded as a positive example of how a workable political solution to conflict can be found," said Mr Cowen. "One year on from the restoration of devolved political institutions, we can take great pride in the wide range of achievements over such a short period of time."

Mary Finan, chairman of the RTE Authority, said that their presence was testimony to the radically-changed environment in which RTE Northern Ireland operations are working, and added that the organisation's commitment to its audience is to report from this changing and growing environment.

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There was another round of cross-border camaraderie last night as the NI First Minister Peter Robinson and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were joined by their opposite number in the Irish Republic, Taoiseach Brian Cowen to officially open the new Belfast offices of the Irish national broadcaster.

RTÉ has moved from its former Belfast base in Fanum House on Great Victoria Street to the Centrepoint Building on Bedford Street in Belfast - opposite the BBC's iconic building.

Mr Cowen said Northern Ireland was now a "place of peace" and noted that he was optimistic about its future, while the Chair of the RTÉ Authority said the new office is evidence of RTÉ's commitment to its role as an island broadcaster.

Mary Finan also said she hoped that when the new digital television system is introduced, more Northern viewers will get greater access to RTÉ signals.

Speaking at the opening First Minister Peter Robinson said: "I congratulate RTÉ on its investment and expansion as this new city centre base is opened.

"The new offices at the Centrepoint building which have been leased by RTÉ represent a further sign that Northern Ireland has grown in confidence and is building a new sustainable economy.

"Business interest in our Province has risen as a result of the transformation and the achievements we have delivered in the last twelve months.

"Office accommodation such as the Centrepoint building is unsurprisingly in high demand.

"There is however still much to be done. A year on, the settling-in period is now over. The time for the Executive and Assembly to deliver has arrived.

"We must secure the peace that has been achieved, grow the economy and build prosperity that can help the lives of all the people who live here," he said.

Martin McGuinness commented: "The economy is indeed growing. We hope that it will continue to grow and generate wealth to deliver effective public services and protect the most vulnerable in our society."

Waxing lyrical, he continued: "I know that myself and my colleagues in the Executive will spare no effort to ensure that a new story can be told for this part of our island.

"We want a story in which we shape our own destiny, a story in which our people grow prosperous in a society at peace with itself.

"However it is up to us, the First Minister and I, and all our Executive Colleagues to make this story real and to write the last lines.

"When that happens I believe that RTÉ will be there to record the process for all to see," he enthused.