First Minister of Northern Ireland

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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 late 1990s as a result of the Belfast 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. Their joint nomination 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.

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First Ministers of Northern Ireland

#	Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party
1.	David Trimble	July 1, 1998	July 1, 2001	Ulster Unionist Party
2.	Reg Empey (acting)	July 1, 2001	November 1, 2001	Ulster Unionist Party
	David Trimble	November 1, 2001	October 14, 2002	Ulster Unionist Party

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Deputy-First Ministers of Northern Ireland

#	Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party
1.	Seamus Mallon	July 1, 1998	July 15, 1999	Social Democratic and Labour Party
	Vacant	July 15, 1999	November 29, 1999
	Seamus Mallon	November 29, 1999	November 6, 2001	Social Democratic and Labour Party
2.	Mark Durkan	November 6, 2001	October 14, 2002	Social Democratic and Labour Party