DUP reshuffles ministers
The DUP has made new appointments to its ministerial posts following the Health Minister’s resignation and the general election.
Following the resignation of Health Minister Jim Wells, the DUP has reshuffled four ministerial positions. The shake-up took place immediately after the general election and has resulted in three MLAs from the Strangford constituency receiving top positions.
OFMDFM Junior Minister Jonathan Bell has been appointed as the new Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment taking over from Arlene Foster. Bell said that he was honoured to take on the “extremely busy and diverse portfolio”. He added: “This is a time of great potential for Northern Ireland and it is important that this potential continues to be given every opportunity to be fulfilled to the maximum.”
Since his appointment, he has travelled to Amsterdam promoting the 2016 Northern Ireland Year of Food to the Netherlands. Bell held the position of Junior Minister for four years from 2011. He has been an MLA for Strangford since 2010.
After spending seven years as the Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster is replacing Simon Hamilton as Minister for Finance and Personnel.
She has described securing this year’s Northern Ireland Budget as the main priority in her new role. The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA explained: “The financial package secured as part of the Stormont House Agreement paved the way for Executive agreement on the 2015-2016 budget. However, in the absence of progress on welfare reform, we simply do not have a workable budget.”
Foster continued: “Delays in implementation will undoubtedly have a significant impact on departmental budgets and would necessitate further cuts to public services.”
Restructuring and reform in the public sector will also be high on the agenda. “This is an important piece of work that will shape how services are delivered for Northern Ireland in the future,” she added. Foster also highlighted the devolution of corporation tax powers, rating and public sector procurement as important elements of her new ministerial portfolio.
Prior to her time as Enterprise Minister, Foster held the environment brief for one year between 2007 and 2008. The mother-of-three was first elected to the Assembly in 2003.
Simon Hamilton has been moved from the finance portfolio to succeed Jim Wells as Health Minister. Jim Wells had stood down after causing controversy during the general election campaign over the issue of same-sex relationships.
Hamilton said that he will continue to drive the momentum of change across the Health Service. He said: “I can assure the public that despite the budget and resource challenges I face, I will continue to strive for excellence in the care we provide. There will be tough decisions ahead but I will not shy away from doing what’s right.”
Hamilton held his previous portfolio from June 2013 until May 2015. He has been an MLA for Strangford since 2007.
Michelle McIlveen is stepping into the role of Junior Minister vacated by Jonathan Bell. Her new portfolio includes promoting equality of opportunity, good relations, children’s policy and older people.
Describing the post as challenging, McIlveen said that she is determined to build on the “excellent” work carried out by her predecessor “to help make Northern Ireland a better place for us all.”
She served as Chair of the Assembly’s Education Committee from last September until her appointment in May. Prior to this, she was Chair of the Assembly’s Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee from May 2011 onwards. She was first elected as an MLA in Strangford in 2007.
