The speaker adjourns the assembly. 

That's it from the first day of the new mandate at the Northern Ireland Assembly. 

The next meeting of the assembly has yet to be confirmed. 

Good afternoon. 

The speaker proposes that the following MLAs shall be appointed as members of the Business Committee - Robin Newton (DUP), Alex Attwood (SDLP), Trevor Clarke (DUP), Stewart Dickson (Alliance), Gerry Kelly (Sinn Féin), Colin McGrath (SDLP), Sandra Overend (UUP), Caitríona Ruane (Sinn Féin), Robin Swann (UUP) and Peter Weir (DUP). 

The motion passes on an oral vote. 

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood says they have some work to do before making any decisions.

He says "we would love to see a programme for government we can sign up to, but if we cannot, we will go into opposition". 

Alliance party leader David Ford congratulates Mr Nesbitt on the "sound bite of the day". 

"Some of us recognise that government is a bit more substantial than the sound bite of the day" he says. 

Ulster Unionist leader, Mike Nesbitt, says the first and deputy first minister will not have the support of his party at the executive table, as the "Ulster Unionist MLA group have unanimously decided to form the first official opposition of this Northern Ireland Assembly".

"This is a big and bold move to bring a better and a more normal democracy to the people of Northern Ireland - let battle commence!", he says. 

Mr McGuinness congratulates Mrs Foster on her appointment and says they have had a good start but "there is more work to be done". 

"I am a very proud, unapologetic Irish Republican", he says. "I do believe in bringing the green and orange together and the white of peace in the middle. I do respect the people on the other side of the house whose colours are red, white and blue". 

He says "the challenge for Arlene and myself, and for other ministers, is for us to continue with the good start, to recognise the importance of working together, building new relationships, putting the past three years to the dustbin of history and moving on to deliver for the people we represent". 

In her speech, Mrs Foster says she is "determined to keep Northern Ireland moving forward". 

"I want everyone who lives here to be proud of this vibrant, beautiful part of the world", she says. "This positive ethos will be at the cornerstone of everything I do over the next five years". 

The clerk reads the pledge of office. 

Mr Newton then calls on the DUP's nominating officer, Lord Morrow to nominate the first minister. 

He nominates his party leader, Arlene Foster, to the role of first minister. 

Mr Newton calls on Sinn Féin's nominating officer, Jennifer McCann to nominate the deputy first minister. 

Mrs McCann nominates her party leader, Martin McGuinness. 

Mr Allister says Catríona Ruane is the "most unsuitable person" for the role and her nomination is "an insult to the many victims of the IRA, whose volunteers she still defends". 

As the nomination does not pass on an oral vote, the house divides. 

Ms Ruane is elected on a cross-community vote.

Mr Newton asks for nominations for the position of principal deputy speaker. 

Martin McGuinness nominates his party colleague Catríona Ruane and Jennifer McCann seconds this. 

Mr McGuinness says "we look forward to the first woman speaker in the house since Eileen Bell". 

Mike Nesbitt says they will not be supporting this nomination as they wish to nominate Danny Kennedy. Jo-Anne Dobson once again seconds this nomination. 

Colum Eastwood says he cannot support the proposal as his party, the SDLP, believe that "the position does not have any point". 

Alliance Leader David Ford agrees that the position does not have any relevance and the TUV's Jim Allister says the post is "fictional" and has 'no powers'. 

The vote is put to the assembly and the TUV's Jim Allister votes against the election of Catríona Ruane as deputy speaker. 

The speaker calls a division.

As only one teller is nominated for the no vote, the ayes have it. 

Catríona Ruane is elected as deputy speaker. 

Patsy McGlone is also elected as deputy speaker. 

Danny Kennedy is the final MLA elected as deputy speaker. 

Mr Newton says he wants to "uphold the standards that his predecessors have set". 

"The people of Northern Ireland are looking to us", he says. "I want to prove to them that we are moving forward". 

Mr Newton asks for nominations for deputy speakers. 

Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness nominates his colleague Catríona Ruane for the post. Jennifer McCann seconds this nomination. 

The SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood nominates Patsy McGlone. He describes Mr McGlone as 'a champion of rural issues' and as someone who shows "wisdom and fairness". Alex Attwood seconds this. 

Finally, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt nominates Danny Kennedy and describes him as "a popular man and committed politicia"'. Jo-anne Dobson seconds this nomination. 

The DUP's Arlene Foster nominates her party colleague, Robin Newton, for the post of speaker. Sammy Douglas seconds this. 

Mrs Foster says Robin Newton is a conciliator and 'will carry out his duties in a fashion that will be recognised as fair'. 

Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness firstly thanks the out-going speaker, Mr McLaughlin. 

He says Robin Newton will ensure that there is fairness in the assembly. 

Cross community support is demonstrated and the new speaker, Robin Newton, is elected. 

Mr McLaughin discusses the role of the speaker and says they should be impartial and take account of all the diverse views of this assembly. He wishes his successor good luck. 

Mr McLaughlin asks for nominations for the post of Speaker.

The candidate must be approved with cross-community support otherwise the question will be put in respect of the second candidate, and so on until a speaker is elected. 

Members have returned to the chamber to continue with today's business. 

They will shortly elect a new speaker, principal deputy speaker and deputy speakers. 

The outgoing Speaker, Mitchel McLaughlin, remarks on how vital it is for the assembly "to be a part of the process of reconciliation and healing". 

He also commends the election of 50% more women to the assembly and says "there is much more work to be done on this". 

He thanks many of his colleagues including the three previous deputy speakers - Roy Beggs, John Dallat and Robin Newton - as well as the Assembly Commission. 

Mr McLaughlin also thanks the staff of the assembly. He says he has been a member since 1998, but only since becoming speaker has he "appreciated the work that goes on behind the scenes". 

MLAs have now signed the undertaking and the roll of membership. 

The speaker suspends the sitting. 

The plenary will reconvene at 14:00, when the members will return to elect a new speaker, principal deputy speaker and deputy speakers. 

The appointment of the first and deputy first ministers and the members of the Business Committee will also take place. 

Three MLAs, Eamon McCann, Gerry Carroll and Steven Agnew take advantage of Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin's ruling on attire. 

Eamonn McCann and Gerry Carroll, sign the book as their party, the People Before Profit Alliance, makes its first appearance in the Stormont chamber.

Members are signing the undertaking and the roll of membership. 

After this, the Plenary will be suspended for one hour to allow the undertaking and the roll to be examined to ensure that members have taken their seats in accordance with standing orders and the Northern Ireland (Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan) Act 2016.

A clerk reads the words of a newly-introduced undertaking that members must sign.

It binds them "to undertake to support the rule of law unequivocally in word and deed" and to work to "achieve a society free of paramilitarism".