First Minister And Deputy First Minister
The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Irish: Céad-Aire agus leasChéad-Aire, Ulster-Scots: Heid Männystèr an Heid Männystèr depute or First Meinister an First Meinister depute) are the joint heads of the Northern Ireland Executive, with overall responsibility for the running of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM).
The two positions are a diarchy, meaning that they have equal power. Created under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, both were initially nominated and appointed by members of the Northern Ireland Assembly on a joint ticket using cross-community (consociational) principles. That process was changed following the 2006 St Andrews Agreement, meaning that the First Minister and deputy First Minister are now nominated separately by the largest parties in each of the two largest community designations in the assembly. The incumbents are Peter Robinson of the Democratic Unionist Party as First Minister and Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin as deputy First Minister.
Read more about First Minister And Deputy First Minister: Responsibilities, Election, Vacancy, History, Direct Rule Ministers
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