The Rev Ian Paisley has refused to be drawn on whether he will stand down as First Minister and DUP leader this year.
Dr Paisley, after meeting the Scottish first minister Alex Salmond in Edinburgh yesterday, was adamant he would not comment on continuing speculation that he would retire from active politics in the coming months.
Dr Paisley was asked four times about the resignation of his son, Ian jnr, as a junior minister this week and more particularly about whether he had any intention of resigning as First Minister. He had ample opportunity to say he had no intention of quitting, but instead each time he said he had no comment to make.
"I am not going to make any comment to the press about internal matters in Northern Ireland," he said. He was in Scotland to "do business" for all the people of Northern Ireland and would not be sidetracked from that task.
Dr Paisley was in Edinburgh with his son, Ian jnr, the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Sinn Féin junior minister Gerry Kelly, to discuss matters of mutual concerns to the Northern Ireland and Scottish devolved administrations.
The meeting was arranged before Mr Paisley announced on Monday that he would be resigning as junior minister when a replacement for him was found. Mr Paisley is expected to make a statement to the Northern Assembly next week about the circumstances of his resignation, when it is also expected a new junior minister will be nominated by the DUP.
The DUP is being tight-lipped on the likely successor, although there is speculation that Jeffrey Donaldson might take the position. Other DUP MLAs seen as possible contenders include Simon Hamilton, Peter Weir, Mervyn Storey, Lord Morrow and Gregory Campbell.
Dr Paisley said productive work was carried out in Edinburgh yesterday, especially in terms of strengthening transport and energy links between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
While the British government based on the Varney report has ruled out harmonising corporation tax rates between Northern Ireland and the Republic, a second Varney report is also examining whether there are any other fiscal measure that could facilitate inward investment.
Scotland has also been lobbying for special tax arrangements. Mr Salmond said there was recent tripartite agreement between the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland administrations to press the British government on tax and other economic issues. "Progress is possible," he said.
Dr Paisley, Mr McGuinness and Mr Salmond made a formal commitment to seriously consider the reinstatement of the Ballycastle to Campbeltown ferry. They also discussed the potential for greater co-operation to exploit the opportunity for renewable energy off the Atlantic coasts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
"We need to establish strong links if we are to fully harvest our resources," said Mr Salmond.
