WORKING FOR YOU IN STORMONT
Ministerial Roles
First Minister: Rt. Hon. Peter Robinson MP MLA
The First Minister plays a co-ordinating role within the Executive and across
Government in Northern Ireland. This Department has responsibility for developing
the Programme for Government and Investment Strategy alongside other functions
including community relations, disability legislation, race and good relations
as well as supporting victims groups across Northern Ireland.
Minister of Finance and Personnel: Sammy Wilson MP MLA
The Department of Finance and Personnel is one of the key Government Departments
and allocates the Northern Ireland block grant across all Government Departments.
The Department also has responsibility for the Performance and Efficiency
Delivery Unit tasked with improving the productivity of Government Departments
and the wider public sector.
Minister of Enterprise Trade and Investment: Arlene Foster MLA
The Department of Enterprise Trade & Investment is responsible for economic
development, energy, tourism and has a role in ensuring the provision of
the infrastructure necessary for a modern economy. Invest Northern Ireland
which
supports business growth and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board which markets
Northern Ireland as a tourist destination are both under the responsibility
of DETI.
Minister of Culture Arts and Leisure: Nelson McCausland MLA
The Department of Culture Arts & Leisure is responsible for arts and
creativity, museums, libraries, sport, inland waterways, linguistic policy
and the Public Records Office. DCAL’s remit also includes raising the profile
of Northern Ireland internationally and funds the Cultural Affairs Officer
within the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington DC.
Minister of Environment: Edwin Poots MLA
The Department of the Environment aims to improve the quality of life for
people in Northern Ireland by planning and managing development through
the Planning Service and protecting and conserving our environment and built
heritage through the
Northern Ireland Environment Agency. DoE also aims to reduce road casualties
and is the Government Department responsible for Local Government.
Junior Minister in First Minister’s Office :Robin Newton MLA
Working in the First Minister’s Office the Junior Minister assists in the
work carried out by the Department. The Junior Minister works on issues
such as older people and children’s issues which the Department has responsibility
for as well as working with the Victims Commission on issues affecting victims
across the Province.
Speaker of the Assembly: Alderman William Hay MLA
The Speaker is the Presiding Officer of the Northern Ireland Assembly. He
also is the Chairman of the Assembly Commission and of the Assembly’s Business
Committee. The Speaker is impartial and does not participate on debates
or votes within the Assembly. Members must direct all comments towards the
Speaker during debate. The Speaker also helps maintain develop links which
the Assembly has developed with other legislatures across the United Kingdom
and in Canada, the USA and Australia.