Politics

Stormont ministers appointed to Executive

THE DUP and Sinn Féin have announced the appointment of ministers to Stormont
THE DUP and Sinn Féin have announced the appointment of ministers to Stormont THE DUP and Sinn Féin have announced the appointment of ministers to Stormont

THE DUP and Sinn Féin have announced the appointment of ministers to Stormont.

The posts were allocated using the D'Hondt formula.

The DUP had first pick and selected Simon Hamilton as Economy Minister.

The four DUP ministers are:

  • Simon Hamilton - Economy Minister
  • Peter Weir – Education Minister
  • Michelle McIlveen – Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister
  • Paul Givan – Communities Minister

The three Sinn Féin ministers are:

  • Máirtín Ó Muilleoir – Finance Minister 
  • Chris Hazzard – Infrastructure Minister
  • Michelle O’Neill – Health Minister

Independent MLA Claire Sugden was appointed as Justice Minister earlier today, while Alastair Ross (DUP) and Megan Fearon (SF) were appointed Junior Ministers.

Ms Sugden only emerged as a contender for the post last week when Alliance snubbed a DUP-Sinn Féin offer.

the daughter of a former prison officer, said the job represented a "huge challenge" but she was "up for it".

"This is probably the most difficult decision I have had in my life," she said.

"It did cause me a lot of anxiety over this last week but it is an opportunity for me, for my constituency and most importantly it's an opportunity for Northern Ireland.

"And I am looking forward to it."

Mrs Foster said the independent MLA would be a minister for "all the people" in the north.

"Martin and I are delighted that Claire has agreed to be the new justice minister in the new mandate and we are very much looking forward to working with her," she said.

Mr McGuinness hailed Ms Sugden as "impressive and progressive".

However, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt called her appointment a "corruption of the Good Friday Agreement".

"With one seat in the assembly, you get a seat at the executive table," he said.

"No wonder the Ulster Unionist Party opposed the devolution of policing and justice."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood told the assembly: "It's very clear to our electorate that this is a position for which no nationalist must apply."