During this period Neeson emerged as one of the leading Alliance spokespersons, often participating in their delegation to successive talks about the future of the province.
The decision by the party's leader, John Alderdice, to resign and take up the position of the Assembly's Speaker deprived Alliance of their most well known figure.
The political arrangements of the Assembly placed great stress on the need for a "majority in both communities" and a party that refused to identify as being a part of either found its influence diminished.
Shortly after the election the party's deputy leader, Seamus Close, resigned citing differences over direction with the leadership.
Subsequently, in September 2001 Neeson chose to resign from the leadership, being succeeded by David Ford,[2] although he remained a member of the Assembly.
I want to pay tribute to all those who, during the darkest days of the Troubles, worked hard from the centre ground to bring this society forward towards a peaceful and shared future.