One of Northern Ireland's most prominent politicians marked his last day in office today, by launching the Province's most expensive port engineering project.

NI First Minister, Ian Paisley was joined by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness and Scottish counterpart Alex Salmond for the official opening of a £37m ferry terminal in Belfast.

Stena Line's new terminal is the most expensive engineering project in the port's history - but Northern Ireland is now closer to Scotland - thanks the 50-acre extension on Belfast Lough.

Scottish First Minister Salmond arrived by cruising down the lough, where he was met by Dr Paisley and Mr McGuiness at the new Victoria Terminal Four.

Dr Paisley said: "Northern Ireland is very much open for business and, like this new terminal, offers a hearty welcome to all. In this ultra-modern facility we can see a tangible commitment to developing a prosperous future by two key players in the Northern Ireland economy: Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Stena Line."

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Deputy First Minister McGuinness also commend Belfast Harbour Commission's investment: "This is part of an ambitious £630 million investment programme planned up to 2025, which will secure the port's position as the leading distribution hub and trading gateway for the North of Ireland."

Welcoming his guest at the event First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond, Dr Paisley said: "It is right, given the many economic, cultural and family bonds between Scotland and Northern Ireland that our two administrations work to strengthen our transport linkages through mutual cooperation."

Dr Paisley is expected to leave the office of First Minister tomorrow, when the Assembly will convene to nominate a new first and deputy first minister.

However amid today's celebrations, Stormont sources say negotiations are continuing behind the scenes to overcome apparent deadlock regarding the nomination process - which could still be derailed should Sinn Fein refuse to put forward a candidate - and this has cast a shadow of uncertainty over Peter Robinson's succession to the post of NI First Minister.

(PR/JM)