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4 unusual facts about First Minister and deputy First Minister


First Minister and deputy First Minister

Martin McGuinness used the term Joint First Minister himself when he arrived for a meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in February 2009; the DUP denounced the term as "republican speak" and it is not used in legislation.

This procedure, which removed the need for a joint ticket between the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin, was used to appoint Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness on 8 May 2007.

Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels

The Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels (Office of the NI Executive in Brussels) is part of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and is the focus of Northern Ireland's relations with the institutions of the European Union .

Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party

When devolution was restored in 1998, the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister were created instead.


Murder of Michaela McAreavey

Notables to visit the wake included Cardinal Edward Daly; 1992 All-Ireland winning manager Brian McEniff; GAA President Christy Cooney, Northern Ireland's First Minister and deputy First Ministers, the Democratic Unionist Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness; sports minister Nelson McCausland, enterprise minister Arlene Foster and justice committee chairman Maurice Morrow, Baron Morrow.

Shabtai Rosenne

In addition, two foreign observers were appointed to the Commission, former First Minister of Northern Ireland, David Trimble, and former head of the Canadian military's judiciary, Judge Advocate General, Ken Watkin, authorized to take part in hearings and discussions, but not to vote on final conclusions.


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