Mr David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party criticised the Democratic Unionist Party for "shouting at Sinn Fein because their constituency might see them". He had no wish to give nationalism a "cudgel" to beat unionism with but was tired of being called a "traitor" because he was prepared to take risks.
"The reality is we've come a long way. They may not be perfect but there are ceasefires in place," he stressed. The people of Northern Ireland were "lusting and questing" for a better life. "If we don't test Sinn Fein - then we'll never know," he added.
Mrs Monica McWilliams of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition said the public was being fed a diet of negativity on the process. "It is time to give people some encouragement."
Sinn Fein objected strongly to remarks by the DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, who referred to "Sinn Fein/IRA". Mr Martin McGuinness said no such organisation exists and the "accusation" could put the lives of Sinn Fein members in jeopardy.
Mr Nigel Dodds (DUP, North Belfast) accused the Sinn Fein chief negotiator of "nauseating hypocrisy".
Mr McGuinness later said he saw "no reason in this wide world" why the executive would not be formed on March 10th. ein had worked assiduously on the peace process for the bast part of nearly a decade and is was not going to singularly take on "the burden" of resolving the current impasse. Holding up part of a hand grenade, which he alleged was thrown at some of his constituents in Mid-Ulster by dissident loyalists paramilitaries, he said if there was any "justice" in this process an executive would be formed.
In a point of order, Mr Cedric Wilson of the Northern Ireland Unionist Party called on the Speaker, Lord Alderdice, to investigate how Mr McGuinness had brought the grenade part into the chamber.
Lord Alderdice said all members should leave their weapons in the "armory" provided. The matter was passed to the Assembly Commission, which is to consider whether members should be treated the same way as everyone else and be searched when coming into Parliament Buildings.
Mr Esmond Birnie (UUP) described the report's proposals for the British-Irish Council as a noble endeavour. "The BIC is, in part, visionary. It is, in part, practical. It recognises the strengths of human and cultural connections between these islands."
