Motion

Equalising the First Minister and deputy First Minister Titles

Motion TitleEqualising the First Minister and deputy First Minister Titles

Motion TextThat this Assembly recognises that the titles of the First Minister and deputy First Minister are joint and equal in authority and responsibility; acknowledges that the difference in titles is a historical anomaly, made at the request of a unionist party; agrees that the current titles entrench division, frequently detract political attention from matters of real importance, and are against the true meaning of the Good Friday Agreement; notes that several holders of the office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister have called for the titles to be changed to reflect their joint nature; and believes that the titles of the First Minister and deputy First Minister should be equalised ahead of the next Assembly election.

Motion CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Motion TypeOpposition business

Date Tabled to Business Office24/02/2026

Date Selected By Committee24/02/2026

Date of Plenary Debate09/03/2026

View Official Report

Tabled By

Member Name	Tabled As
Mr Matthew O'Toole	MLA - South Belfast

Bills

Outcome/Voting

50 Members voted

29 Members voted AYE

21 Members voted NO

The Motion Was Carried, Simple Majority Lobby Division

MLA Name	Designation	Voted
Mr Andy Allen MBE	Unionist	AYE
Ms Kellie Armstrong	Other	AYE
Mr Doug Beattie MC	Unionist	AYE
Mr Maurice Bradley	Unionist	NO
Ms Paula Bradshaw	Other	AYE
Mr Phillip Brett	Unionist	NO
Mr David Brooks	Unionist	NO
Ms Cheryl Brownlee	Unionist	NO
Mr Keith Buchanan	Unionist	NO
Mr Tom Buchanan	Unionist	NO
Mr Jonathan Buckley	Unionist	NO
Mr Robbie Butler	Unionist	AYE
Mrs Pam Cameron	Unionist	NO
Mr Gerry Carroll	Other	AYE
Mr Alan Chambers	Unionist	AYE
Mr Trevor Clarke	Unionist	NO
Mr Stewart Dickson	Other	AYE
Mrs Diane Dodds	Unionist	NO
Mr Danny Donnelly	Other	AYE
Mr Stephen Dunne	Unionist	NO
Mr Mark Durkan	Nationalist	AYE
Ms Connie Egan	Other	AYE
Mrs Deborah Erskine	Unionist	NO
Ms Diane Forsythe	Unionist	NO
Mr Paul Frew	Unionist	NO
Mr Timothy Gaston	Unionist	AYE
Mrs Michelle Guy	Other	AYE
Mr Harry Harvey	Unionist	NO
Mr David Honeyford	Other	AYE
Mr Brian Kingston	Unionist	NO
Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly	Unionist	NO
Mr Gordon Lyons	Unionist	NO
Miss Nuala McAllister	Other	AYE
Mr Daniel McCrossan	Nationalist	AYE
Mr Patsy McGlone	Nationalist	AYE
Mr Colin McGrath	Nationalist	AYE
Miss Michelle McIlveen	Unionist	NO
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin	Nationalist	AYE
Mr Andrew McMurray	Other	AYE
Mr Justin McNulty	Nationalist	AYE
Mr Peter McReynolds	Other	AYE
Mr Peter Martin	Unionist	NO
Mr Nick Mathison	Other	AYE
Mr Andrew Muir	Other	AYE
Ms Sian Mulholland	Other	AYE
Mr Mike Nesbitt	Unionist	AYE
Ms Kate Nicholl	Other	AYE
Mr Matthew O'Toole	Nationalist	AYE
Mr Eóin Tennyson	Other	AYE
Mr Gareth Wilson	Unionist	NO

Amendments

Number	Tabled Date	Amendment Text
1	05/03/2026	Leave out all after ‘responsibility;’ and insert: ‘believes that altering the titles alone does not address the deeper structural issues within our institutions requiring reform; notes that public confidence in devolved government depends on stability and delivery aided by the implementation of a meaningful package of reforms rather than dealing with issues in isolation; and expresses its support for the work of Assembly and Executive Review Committee in considering options for substantive structural reforms which would strengthen accountability and ensure that the Assembly and Executive can better deliver for all communities.’

Tabled Date	Amendment Text
02/03/2026	At end insert: ‘; and agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to call for an amendment to the Northern Ireland Act1998 to include the First Minister and deputy First Minister posts in D’Hondt when a new Executive is being formed.’

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Equalising the First Minister and deputy First Minister Titles

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