The First and Deputy First Ministers have expressed their disgust at the recent violent events in north Belfast during an emergency debate on the deteriorating security situation in the North's Assembly.
MLAs observed a minute's silence in memory of the young Catholic postman, Mr Daniel McColgan, who was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries on Saturday.
Mr David Trimble said dialogue was the only way to break the cycle of hatred and violence. "We are sure that the Assembly will share our horror and disgust at the return of sectarian violence to the streets of north Belfast and the murder of Daniel McColgan in Rathcoole. Sectarian attacks have no place in a civilised society and we condemn those responsible," he added.
Responding to an emergency question from Sinn Féin's north Belfast MLA, Mr Gerry Kelly, the First Minister said all children had the right to go to school free from the threat of violence and intimidation. "There can be no grievance which justifies the denial of this right nor any cause that can be advanced by it."
The Deputy First Minister, Mr Mark Durkan, called on the Assembly to stand united in its condemnation of the recent violence. "The strongest possible pressure we can make in this chamber is by trying to speak with one voice. It is important that we use this occasion to make it absolutely clear that we reject those behind these threats and attacks."
During Ministers' Question Time, the Education Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness, announced that security would be stepped up at all educational premises to prevent increasing vandalism against school buses. Mr McGuinness condemned a recent attack in which seven buses belonging to the Western Education Board in Strabane, Co Tyrone, were badly damaged, describing it as "reprehensible" and an "absolute disgrace".
Meanwhile, the Health Minister, Ms Bairbre de Brún, defended her department's handling of the hospital bed crisis, saying a simple restructuring of the health and social services sector would not be sufficient to address the sector's chronic underfunding. Around £190 million had been taken out of the health service by the Conservative government in the 1980s and 90s, a shortfall for which no restructuring could make up, she insisted.
In reply to a question by the Assembly's Health Committee chairman, Dr Joe Hendron, Ms de Brún confirmed that facilities in Musgrave Park Hospital's security wing were being offered to alleviate the pressure on fractures surgery in other hospitals.
Debating the British government's criminal justice reform plans, unionist MLAs expressed concern at changes to the oath and removal of the Union flag and royal symbols from court buildings, saying such a move would "freeze out" their community.