First Minister of Northern Ireland - Definition and Overview

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 1990s as a result of the Good Friday Agreement. The office, the executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly are currently suspended.

The First Minister is elected by the Assembly on a joint ticket with the Deputy First Minister. This ticket 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

• David Trimble (1999-2002)

Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland

• Seamus Mallon (1999-2001)
• Mark Durkan (2001-2002)