Mr McConnell talked to the assembly about sectarianism

Mr McConnell told Northern Ireland Assembly members he did not want to tell them how to conduct politics.

However, he argued that devolution in Scotland had boosted confidence, opened doors to wider civic engagement and tackled long-standing problems

In particular, he said devolution had been the "catalyst" for a new drive against sectarianism.

Mr McConnell's visit coincided with an attempt by the 108 assembly members to elect a power-sharing executive after almost four years of hiatus.

While the Stormont Assembly has been stalled, the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly have been continuing their work.

I think everybody hopes that progress is made in Northern Ireland to back up the better security arrangements and the more peaceful existence that people have Jack McConnell First Minister of Scotland

Speaking before he addressed MLAs in the senate, Mr McConnell said he did not intend to "lecture" MLAs on what could be gained from local decision making.

The Scottish Labour leader, who embarked on a tour of parts of Belfast on Sunday, said his visit was intended to offer encouragement to the MLAs.

He told BBC Radio Scotland: "I'm here to extend the hand of friendship to the assembly.

"I think everybody hopes that progress is made in Northern Ireland to back up the better security arrangements and the more peaceful existence that people have here now compared to a few years ago with developments in government.

"I think it's important that we in Scotland don't try and lecture anyone in Northern Ireland or anywhere else about the benefits of devolution.

"They have to come to their own decisions, make their own conclusions and decide their own policies that are relevant to them."

Mr McConnell is greeted by assembly speaker Eileen Bell

Mr McConnell said he did not underestimate the problems faced by people in Northern Ireland and the difficulties in forming a power sharing government.

However, he said Scotland had seen benefits from Labour's coalition with the Liberal Democrats and he pointed to the example of tackling sectarianism.

Mr McConnell said that "for many years it wasn't a thing that politicians felt able to talk about or take a lead on".

He added: "We've managed to do that over recent years and brought in the football clubs and the march organisers and the schools and the churches and the police and everybody else, brought them together, shown a lead and been able to make a difference.

"I think that's been an example of how devolution can do more than just pass better laws and more than just improve services."

He told the assembly: "We have now not just got the confidence to talk about this isssue but we have also got the strength to do something about it."