Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has congratulated the new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Sir Reg Empey, saying the party remained "a significant player in the political landscape of Northern Ireland."
Mr Empey last night insisted that his party would not go into government with Sinn Féin in the lifetime of the current suspended Stormont Assembly.
He won a close-run leadership contest to succeed David Trimble, the former Stormont Economy Minister, and vowed to bring forward fresh talent from within the UUP.
He also criticised the British government for allowing politics to be paralysed with a moribund Assembly.
The 58-year-old was forced into a second count in the leadership contest by north Down Assembly member Alan McFarland. At the end of the first round of voting, there were 29 votes between the two candidates.
But after the distribution of 54 votes for the third candidate, David McNarry, Mr Embey emerged victorious, with 321 votes to Mr McFarland's 287.
Sitting beside his wife Stella and surrounded by supporters, including MEP Jim Nicolson and Assembly members Danny Kennedy and Michael Copeland, Mr Empey reminded opponents that he would not contemplate sharing power with Sinn Fein in the near future.
"I made it clear in my literature that this party will not participate in an executive which includes Sinn Fein in the lifetime of this Assembly," the East Belfast MLA said.
"I made it clear at four meetings this week. That has been my position."
In a statement this morning, the Taoiseach congratulated Mr Empey who had been "a very able and skilful negotiator in the talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement."
"While always promoting the interests of unionism, he has, at the same time, been a respected and effective interlocutor with the Irish Government," Mr Ahern said.
"The Ulster Unionist Party remains a significant player in the political landscape of Northern Ireland.
"It has an important contribution to make in the ongoing collective efforts to promote political progress in Northern Ireland."
