The two main power-sharing parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein, yesterday talked up the benefits of devolution and partnership and defended their stewardship, despite the stand-off over policing and justice that led to a five-month gap in Executive meetings.

The DUP said devolved government was better than direct rule and the party had used it to make Northern Ireland a better place to be. And Sinn Fein said it continued to promote and develop “a progressive political agenda underpinned by an equality and rights-based framework” with a central focus on the economic crisis.

But both parties also voiced disappointments — the DUP over the “lack of professionalism” of Education Minister Caitriona Ruane. Sinn Fein has lauded her performance.

Republicans say that, following the DUP’s poorer-than-expected performance in the European elections, it must now decide whether it is fully committed to devolution.

And both also pointed to the lighter side of politics — the most suspended man in the Assembly, North Belfast DUP member Nelson McCausland, twice forced to leave the environs for a day, ending the year as the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Sinn Fein minister Michelle Gildernew had a productive year too, giving birth to baby girl Aoise, who travelled with mum to Belfast, Brussels and beyond to help “keep Ireland bluetongue and foot and mouth free” — and bringing forward a Rural White paper. DUP Party Secretary Michelle McIlveen said: “There is no doubt that devolution is better than direct rule. The DUP has used devolution to make Northern Ireland a better place in which to live, work and raise a family.”

The party highlights:

• The Titanic Signature tourism project, securing 600 construction jobs.
• Freeze for the second year on the regional rate.
• Equality in cultural funding — £40k this week to the Maiden City Festival.
• “The primary disappointment of the last 12 months is the continued refusal of the Education Minister to act in a professional way to find a way forward on education reform that everyone can agree to,” the Strangford MLA added.

“Whilst much has been delivered, much, much more could have been achieved had it not been for the refusal of Sinn Fein to allow government to function properly for a five month period — that must also rank as a disappointment.

“Setbacks like this aside, the DUP will continue to use devolution to bring the maximum benefit of local government at Stormont to everyone in Northern Ireland.”

In a statement Sinn Fein said on the economic crisis Martin McGuinness, in the office of OFMDFM, ensured that pensioners were not excluded from fuel poverty payments and proactively brought forward initiatives to build the economy and pursue investment opportunities.

Mitchel McLaughlin challenged the banks and senior civil servants on bonuses and pay along with promoting access to finance while Sinn Féin representatives have worked to protect the less well off in our society and consistently challenged the lack of progress on social housing provision.

“Sinn Féin have secured commitments for the transfer of policing and justice powers and have stood firmly against the challenges of sectarianism and racism,” Mr McLaughlin said.