§ 8. Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on steps being taken to fill the position of First Minister in Northern Ireland. [2879]
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§ Dr. John ReidThe filling of these positions is a matter for the devolved administration, not the British Government. The Northern Ireland Assembly and its members must elect a First Minister and Deputy First Minister jointly in accordance with the procedures set out in the constitutional arrangements of Strand One of the Belfast Agreement and section 16 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. These require the positions to be filled within 6 weeks of a vacancy occurring and the Assembly to devise the procedures under which such elections takes place.