Giant's Causeway	Grand Opera House

Priority area of work within BIC : Transport

Capital City : Belfast

Government : Power was devolved to the new Northern Ireland Assembly in December 1999. At the same time the North/South Ministerial Council, North/South Implementation Bodies, the British-Irish Council and the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference became fully functioning institutions.

The devolved institutions in Northern Ireland were suspended on 14th October 2002 but have since been restored on 8th May 2007.

The Assembly has 108 members from 10 different political parties elected by proportional representation. It has full legislative authority for a wide range of socio-economic functions including environment, agriculture, regional development, health, education, trade and investment. Elections are normally held every four years.

The Assembly has elected, on a cross-community basis, a First Minister and a Deputy First Minister who act jointly. Ten other Ministers from the four largest parties in the Assembly have been appointed by the Assembly to take responsibility for the Northern Ireland Departments. Together they comprise the Executive. It agrees on an annual programme for Government, based upon an agreed budget. The Programme for Government, which covers all aspects of the Executive’s responsibilities, is subject to the approval of the Assembly.


Contact Details : If you would like to know more about Northern Ireland, please go to www.northernireland.gov.uk