The First Minister of Northern Ireland and the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland are the leaders of the Northern Ireland Executive, Northern Ireland's home rule government set up in the late 1990s as a result of the Belfast Agreement. The office and the executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly are currently suspended, although the Assembly itself is not.

The First Minister is elected by the Assembly on a joint ticket with the Deputy First Minister. Their joint nomination must obtain an overall majority in the Assembly along with a majority of both designated nationalists and unionists.

This dyarchy was created to enable the leaders of the main unionist and nationalist parties to work together as a team jointly representing both communities.

Until 2002, the First Minister's post was held by David Trimble leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. Initially his deputy was the deputy leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, Seamus Mallon. He was succeeded upon his retirement by the new SDLP leader, Mark Durkan.

First Ministers of Northern Ireland

Deputy-First Ministers of Northern Ireland

See also: Prime Minister of Northern Ireland

External links

• Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (official website)

Government of Northern Ireland | First Ministers of Northern Ireland