Peter Robinson today became Northern Ireland’s new First Minister after he was nominated in the Assembly today.
The confirmation of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader in the post followed weeks of discussions with Sinn Féin.
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has been reappointed Deputy First Minister after the two parties agreed to further talks on contentious issues, including handing over policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Mr Robinson was nominated by former DUP leader Ian Paisley, and Mr McGuinness by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin sent his congratulations to Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness.
“I wish Peter and Martin every success as they take up office today. I know that both are committed to working together effectively in the Executive and the other institutions and to delivering the benefits of partnership to the entire community."
“They have the full support of the Irish Government as they jointly take on the challenges of office," he added.
British prime minister Gordon Brown will chair talks with the two North ministers at Downing Street tomorrow to address security, the failure to introduce an Irish language act and continuing concerns about paramilitary organisations.
A joint statement from Mr McGuinness and Mr Robinson said: “We look forward to working together after we have been nominated as First and Deputy First Minister.
“We recognise that there are outstanding and unresolved issues which have been raised with the Prime Minister and which require urgent attention."
Last night’s last-minute progress followed the intervention of the British, Irish and US governments.
Yesterday, Sinn Féin's Mr Adams said the partnership of ministers had to be rooted in equality.
The Assembly has been in existence since May last year with former DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, as its First Minister.
The 2006 St Andrews Agreement laid the foundations for restored devolution. Sinn Féin believed it paved the way for policing to be handed over to the Assembly by last month, but the DUP has said there is not adequate confidence in the community to allow it.
PA