First Minister of Northern Ireland

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The First Minister of Northern Ireland is the leading political office in Northern Ireland’s devolved government, jointly heading the power-sharing administration and representing the region’s executive authority.


Statements (48)
Predicate Object
instanceOf government position
political office
appliesToJurisdiction Northern Ireland
appointedBy Northern Ireland Assembly
belongsTo devolved institutions of the United Kingdom
canBeVacantWhen Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland resigns or is removed
coequalWith Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland
coHeads power‑sharing administration in Northern Ireland
constitutedBy Northern Ireland Act 1998
country United Kingdom
createdBy Belfast Agreement
Good Friday Agreement
firstHolder David Trimble
formationDate 1998
governs Northern Ireland Executive
hasAbbreviation FM (Northern Ireland)
hasOfficialLanguage English
Irish (used in some official contexts)
Ulster Scots (used in some official contexts)
heads Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (historical title)
The Executive Office (Northern Ireland)
inception 1 July 1998
isJointlyDependentWith Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland for taking office
isSubjectTo consociational arrangements under the Belfast Agreement
power‑sharing rules
legalBasis devolution settlement for Northern Ireland
locatedIn Belfast
meetsAt Stormont Estate
memberOf Northern Ireland Executive
nominatedBy largest party of the largest designation in the Northern Ireland Assembly
officeHolderMustBe Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
officeHoldersInclude Arlene Foster
Ian Paisley
Michelle O’Neill
Paul Givan
Peter Robinson
officeType head of government
partOf Northern Ireland Executive
devolved government of Northern Ireland
precededBy Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
reportsTo Northern Ireland Assembly
represents executive authority of Northern Ireland
residence Stormont
seat Parliament Buildings, Stormont
sharesExecutiveAuthorityWith Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland
style The Right Honourable
termLength no fixed term
serves at the pleasure of the Northern Ireland Assembly


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