A profile of those in the Northern Executive
CARÁL NÍ CHUILÍN (SF)
Dept of Culture, Arts and Leisure
The North Belfast MLA’s profile rose steadily as Sinn Féin chief whip and spokeswoman on social development. The former IRA prisoner, a highly regarded Belfast republican, will head Sinn Féin’s drive for an Irish Language Act after years of unionist opposition. She will be to the fore in planning for centenaries of the Somme, the Ulster Covenant and Easter Rising.
JONATHAN BELL (DUP)
Junior Minister
Bell came to prominence when co-opted to the Assembly in the Strangford constituency following the resignation of Iris Robinson. He won his own mandate in the May 5th election and is rewarded with the junior minister’s position at the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister. A former social worker who first stood for election for the Ulster Unionists.
MICHELLE O’NEILL (SF)
Dept of Agriculture and Rural Development
Replaces Michelle Gildernew, who generally had a good working relationship with farmers and ran a controversy-free department. So, a hard act to follow but Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness are confident this Mid-Ulster MLA and former mayor of Dungannon and South Tyrone has the capability to head the agriculture department.
DANNY KENNEDY (UUP)
Dept of Regional Development The former Ulster Unionist deputy leader shifts from employment and learning into a tricky department that has major and expensive infrastructural improvement needs. One of the Ministers who won’t be looking forward to Christmas after the frozen pipes disaster of last Christmas and new year, caused by the freezing conditions.
EDWIN POOTS (DUP)
Dept of Health, Social Security and Public Safety
Moves from the Department of the Environment to Health – perhaps the least sought-after portfolio. Following public spats with the former minister, Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey, the DUP was keen to appoint ministers to the Departments of Finance and Health – by far the biggest single spending departments.
DAVID FORD (ALLIANCE LEADER)
Dept of Justice
Re-elected by “parallel consent” cross-community vote outside of the d’Hondt proportional system of electing the Northern Executive. Will hold this position for at least a year. Elected as a compromise between the DUP and Sinn Féin, each of which vetoes the other from taking the post. His election gives Alliance two ministries in the Executive.
JOHN O’DOWD (SF)
Dept of Education
The Upper Bann MLA was one of Sinn Féin’s brightest talents in the last Assembly. He was often sent in to bat on behalf of the former Sinn Féin education minister Caitríona Ruane. A more conciliatory figure, he should be in a better position to work with unionists. But Sinn Féin taking this post means the 11-plus exams are gone for good.
NELSON McCAUSLAND (DUP)
Dept of Social Development Retains his seat at the Executive, moving to his new department from the Department of Culture.
A graduate of Oxford, McCausland is known for his outspoken views on religious affairs, evolution and creationism and his intervention with the Ulster Museum. His new department is responsible for, among other things, the supply of social housing.
ARLENE FOSTER (DUP)
Dept of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Has retained her post of jobs Minister, which just proves how high in the DUP pecking order Peter Robinson views the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA and former Ulster Unionist – a fact already established by her briefly taking the role of first minister when Robinson had to temporarily step aside in 2010 over Irisgate.
STEPHEN FARRY (ALLIANCE)
Dept of Employment and Learning
Clearly delighted his party has won a ministerial appointment thanks to its increased representation in the Assembly, Dr Farry will be pitched into the controversy over planned hikes in student fees. A graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast, he is one of the key authors of his party’s manifesto. He will sit alongside his party leader, David Ford at the Executive table.
MARTINA ANDERSON (SF)
Junior Minister
The Foyle MLA is a former IRA bomber and prisoner, one of whose current remits is engaging in outreach with the unionist community. First elected to the Assembly in 2007 and was also a member of the policing board over that period. Well regarded in Sinn Féin, she stood unsuccessfully against Mark Durkan in last year’s Westminster election.
ALEX ATTWOOD (SDLP)
Dept of the Environment
His party’s sole Minister, Alex Attwood moves from Social Development to oversee reform of local government and planning. A solicitor and former president of Queen’s University students’ union, he took over as minister when Margaret Ritchie was elected party leader. He kept his West Belfast seat with an increased majority. He has served on the policing board.
SAMMY WILSON (DUP)
Dept of Finance and Personnel
“The best job I ever had,” said Wilson after his period in the finance post, which he took over when Ian Paisley stood down as first minister in 2009 and was succeeded by Peter Robinson. He has a four-year budget to implement and programmes of government to put in place at a time of deep recession, although not as severe as in the South.