This has been an historic week, although only future events will really determine what effect they have on the country. The devolution of power back to Northern Ireland after 25 years of direct rule is momentous, but for it to be truly meaningful the members of the Assembly have to demonstrate that they can work together for the benefit of all the people.

I suspect the Assembly will have a bumpy ride early in the New Year if decommissioning fails to take place.

This Tuesday the new Westminster Hall chamber opened for business with debates on Palestinian refugees and the Balkans. This is an additional Chamber so that more debates and Select committee reports can be accommodated within the timetable. The seating is arranged in a hemisphere rather than the traditional confrontational benches, which many of us feel is a step forward to more mature debating. However there are many traditionalists who no doubt will try to sabotage this piece of modernisation.

The ending of the ban on beef on the bone is certainly most welcome, if somewhat overdue. In recent months the ban has fallen into some disrepute with some butchers openly selling T-bone steaks. It has also had a negative effect on our discussions with France and Germany over their illegal bans on our exported beef. Hopefully many families will celebrate this Christmas with a good joint of beef. This will provide at least some cheer for our farmers who have waited so long for this ban to be lifted.

Finally Michael Portillo made his entrance into Parliament. It is a very different place o when he was last here and I think he already knows it judging by his reception on all sides of the house.

Just how historic this will be for the Conservative Party and its leadership, we will have to wait and see.