7th Northern Ireland Assembly explained

7th Northern Ireland Assembly
Body:Assembly
Country:Northern Ireland
Meeting Place:Parliament Buildings,
Stormont
Election:2022 Assembly election
Government:Executive of the 7th Assembly
Term Start:5 May 2022
Term End:present
Before:6th Assembly
Membership1:90
Chamber1 Leader1 Type:Speaker
Chamber1 Leader1:Edwin Poots
Chamber1 Leader2 Type:First Minister
Chamber1 Leader2:Michelle O'Neill
Chamber1 Leader3 Type:Deputy First Minister
Chamber1 Leader3:Emma Little-Pengelly
Session1 Start:13 May 2022
Session1 End:-->

This is a list of the 90 members of the seventh Northern Ireland Assembly, the unicameral devolved legislature of Northern Ireland. The election took place on 5 May 2022, with counting continuing the following 2 days; voter turnout was estimated at 64.4%.

Five MLAs were elected from each of the 18 constituencies. Sinn Féin became the biggest party for the first time, entitling them to the First Minister. Additionally, Alliance, the biggest cross-community party, also had a big increase, overtaking the SDLP and UUP in votes to become third in the assembly, following the DUP, the biggest Unionist party.

The DUP blocked the formation of an Executive until a meeting of the Assembly on 3 February 2024.[1]

Party strengths

PartyDesignationElectedCurrent
Sinn FéinNationalist2727
Democratic Unionist PartyUnionist2525
Alliance Party of Northern IrelandOther1717
Ulster Unionist PartyUnionist99
Social Democratic and Labour PartyNationalist88
Independent UnionistUnionist21
Traditional Unionist VoiceUnionist11
People Before ProfitOther11
Independent NationalistNationalist00
SpeakerNone01
Totals by DesignationUnionist3736
Nationalist3535
Other1818
None01
Total90
● = Northern Ireland Executive; = Official Opposition

Graphical representation

Parties arranged roughly on the nationalist-unionist spectrum

MLAs by current affiliation

PartyNameConstituencyMember since
Sinn Féin (27)Caoimhe ArchibaldEast Londonderry5 May 2016
Danny BakerBelfast West5 May 2022
Nicola BroganWest Tyrone31 October 2020
Cathal BoylanNewry and Armagh7 March 2007
Pádraig DelargyFoyle13 September 2021
Linda DillonMid Ulster5 May 2016
Jemma DolanFermanagh and South Tyrone2 March 2017
Sinéad EnnisSouth Down2 March 2017
Ciara FergusonFoyle13 September 2021
Órlaithí FlynnBelfast West7 December 2016
Colm GildernewFermanagh and South Tyrone20 June 2017
Deirdre HargeyBelfast South9 January 2020
Declan KearneySouth Antrim5 May 2016
Gerry KellyBelfast North25 June 1998
Liz KimminsNewry and Armagh9 January 2020
Cathy MasonSouth Down5 May 2022
Declan McAleerWest Tyrone2 July 2012
Philip McGuiganNorth Antrim30 August 2016
Maolíosa McHughWest Tyrone29 May 2019
Aine MurphyFermanagh and South Tyrone2 July 2021
Conor MurphyNewry and Armagh9 June 2015
Carál Ní Chuilín °Belfast North7 March 2007
John O'DowdUpper Bann26 November 2003
Michelle O'NeillMid Ulster7 March 2007
Aisling ReillyBelfast West19 October 2021
Pat SheehanBelfast West7 December 2010
Emma SheerinMid Ulster4 December 2018
Democratic Unionist Party (25)David BrooksBelfast East5 May 2022
Maurice BradleyEast Londonderry5 May 2016
Phillip BrettBelfast North5 May 2022
Cheryl BrownleeEast Antrim15 September 2023
Tom BuchananWest Tyrone26 November 2003
Keith BuchananMid Ulster5 May 2016
Jonathan BuckleyUpper Bann2 March 2017
Joanne BuntingBelfast East5 May 2016
Pam CameronSouth Antrim5 May 2011
Trevor ClarkeSouth Antrim28 June 2017
Diane DoddsUpper Bann11 January 2020
Stephen DunneNorth Down1 June 2021
Deborah ErskineFermanagh and South Tyrone11 October 2021
Diane ForsytheSouth Down5 May 2022
Paul FrewNorth Antrim21 June 2010
Paul GivanLagan Valley10 June 2010
Harry HarveyStrangford12 September 2019
William IrwinNewry and Armagh7 March 2007
Brian KingstonBelfast North5 May 2022
Emma Little-PengellyLagan Valley12 May 2022
Gordon LyonsEast Antrim11 August 2015
Peter MartinNorth Down10 July 2024
Michelle McIlveenStrangford7 March 2007
Gary MiddletonFoyle13 April 2015
Alan RobinsonEast Londonderry5 May 2022
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (17)Kellie ArmstrongStrangford5 May 2016
John Blair °South Antrim27 June 2018
Paula BradshawBelfast South5 May 2016
Stewart DicksonEast Antrim5 May 2011
Danny DonnellyEast Antrim5 May 2022
Connie EganNorth Down5 May 2022
Michelle GuyLagan Valley10 July 2024
David HoneyfordLagan Valley5 May 2022
Naomi LongBelfast East9 January 2020
Nick MathisonStrangford5 May 2022
Nuala McAllisterBelfast North5 May 2022
Andrew McMurraySouth Down29 April 2024
Peter McReynoldsBelfast East5 May 2022
Andrew MuirNorth Down18 December 2019
Sian MulhollandNorth Antrim4 April 2023
Kate NichollBelfast South5 May 2022
Eóin TennysonUpper Bann5 May 2022
Ulster Unionist Party (9)Steve Aiken °South Antrim5 May 2016
Andy AllenBelfast East15 September 2015
Doug BeattieUpper Bann5 May 2016
Robbie ButlerLagan Valley5 May 2016
Alan ChambersNorth Down5 May 2016
Colin CrawfordNorth Antrim10 July 2024
Tom ElliottFermanagh and South Tyrone5 May 2022
Mike NesbittStrangford5 May 2011
John StewartEast Antrim2 March 2017
Social Democratic and Labour Party (8)Mark DurkanFoyle5 May 2011
Cara HunterEast Londonderry18 May 2020
Daniel McCrossanWest Tyrone7 January 2016
Colin McGrathSouth Down5 May 2016
Patsy McGloneMid Ulster26 November 2003
Sinéad McLaughlinFoyle11 January 2020
Justin McNulty ‡‡Newry and Armagh5 May 2016
Matthew O'TooleBelfast South11 January 2020
Traditional Unionist VoiceTimothy GastonNorth Antrim16 July 2024
People Before ProfitGerry CarrollBelfast West7 May 2016
Independent UnionistClaire SugdenEast Londonderry6 May 2014
SpeakerEdwin PootsBelfast South25 June 1998

† Co-opted to replace an elected MLA

‡ Changed affiliation during the term

° Deputy Speaker

MLAs by constituency and current affiliation

Members are ranked by their order of election, and if co-opted, the position of the person who they co-opted.

ConstituencyNameParty
Belfast East
Naomi LongAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Joanne BuntingDemocratic Unionist Party
Peter McReynoldsAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
David BrooksDemocratic Unionist Party
Andy AllenUlster Unionist Party
Belfast North
Gerry KellySinn Féin
Carál Ní ChuilínSinn Féin
Phillip BrettDemocratic Unionist Party
Brian KingstonDemocratic Unionist Party
Nuala McAllisterAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Belfast South
Deirdre HargeySinn Féin
Edwin Poots
Matthew O'TooleSocial Democratic and Labour Party
Paula BradshawAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Kate NichollAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Belfast West
Danny BakerSinn Féin
Órlaithí FlynnSinn Féin
Pat SheehanSinn Féin
Aisling ReillySinn Féin
Gerry CarrollPeople Before Profit
East Antrim
John StewartUlster Unionist Party
Gordon LyonsDemocratic Unionist Party
Stewart DicksonAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Danny DonnellyAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Cheryl BrownleeDemocratic Unionist Party
East Londonderry
Maurice BradleyDemocratic Unionist Party
Alan RobinsonDemocratic Unionist Party
Claire SugdenIndependent Unionist
Caoimhe ArchibaldSinn Féin
Cara HunterSocial Democratic and Labour Party
Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Jemma DolanSinn Féin
Tom ElliottUlster Unionist Party
Colm GildernewSinn Féin
Aine MurphySinn Féin
Deborah ErskineDemocratic Unionist Party
Foyle
Pádraig DelargySinn Féin
Mark DurkanSocial Democratic and Labour Party
Ciara FergusonSinn Féin
Sinéad McLaughlinSocial Democratic and Labour Party
Gary MiddletonDemocratic Unionist Party
Lagan Valley
Emma Little-PengellyDemocratic Unionist Party
Robbie ButlerUlster Unionist Party
Michelle GuyAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Paul GivanDemocratic Unionist Party
David HoneyfordAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Mid Ulster
Michelle O'NeillSinn Féin
Emma SheerinSinn Féin
Linda DillonSinn Féin
Keith BuchananDemocratic Unionist Party
Patsy McGloneSocial Democratic and Labour Party
Newry and Armagh
Conor MurphySinn Féin
Cathal BoylanSinn Féin
Justin McNulty ‡‡Social Democratic and Labour Party
Liz KimminsSinn Féin
William IrwinDemocratic Unionist Party
North Antrim
Colin CrawfordUlster Unionist Party
Philip McGuiganSinn Féin
Timothy GastonTraditional Unionist Voice
Paul FrewDemocratic Unionist Party
Sian MulhollandAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
North Down
Peter MartinDemocratic Unionist Party
Andrew MuirAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Stephen DunneDemocratic Unionist Party
Alan ChambersUlster Unionist Party
Connie EganAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
South Antrim
Declan KearneySinn Féin
John BlairAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Steve AikenUlster Unionist Party
Pam CameronDemocratic Unionist Party
Trevor ClarkeDemocratic Unionist Party
South Down
Sinéad EnnisSinn Féin
Cathy MasonSinn Féin
Andrew McMurrayAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Diane ForsytheDemocratic Unionist Party
Colin McGrathSocial Democratic and Labour Party
Strangford
Kellie ArmstrongAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Michelle McIlveenDemocratic Unionist Party
Harry HarveyDemocratic Unionist Party
Mike NesbittUlster Unionist Party
Nick MathisonAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
Upper Bann
John O'DowdSinn Féin
Jonathan BuckleyDemocratic Unionist Party
Diane DoddsDemocratic Unionist Party
Doug BeattieUlster Unionist Party
Eóin TennysonAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
West Tyrone
Nicola BroganSinn Féin
Daniel McCrossanSocial Democratic and Labour Party
Tom BuchananDemocratic Unionist Party
Maolíosa McHughSinn Féin
Declan McAleerSinn Féin

† Co-opted to replace an elected MLA

‡ Changed affiliation during the term

Changes since the election

† Co-options

Date co-optedConstituencyPartyOutgoingCo-opteeReason
12 May 2022Lagan ValleyJeffrey DonaldsonEmma Little PengellyJeffrey Donaldson remaining as the Member of Parliament for Lagan Valley.[2]
4 April 2023North AntrimPatricia O'LynnSian MulhollandPatricia O'Lynn resigned.[3]
15 September 2023East AntrimDavid HilditchCheryl BrownleeDavid Hilditch resigned.[4]
29 April 2024South DownPatrick BrownAndrew McMurrayPatrick Brown resigned.[5]
10 July 2024Lagan ValleySorcha EastwoodMichelle GuySorcha Eastwood elected as the Member of Parliament for Lagan Valley in the 2024 general election.[6]
10 July 2024North AntrimRobin SwannColin CrawfordRobin Swann elected as the Member of Parliament for South Antrim in the 2024 general election.[7]
10 July 2024North DownAlex EastonPeter Martin (DUP)Alex Easton elected as the Member of Parliament for North Down in the 2024 general election.[8]
16 July 2024North AntrimJim AllisterTimothy GastonJim Allister elected as the Member of Parliament for North Antrim in the 2024 general election.[9]

‡ Changes in affiliation

DateConstituencyNamePrevious affiliationNew affiliationCircumstance
3 February 2024Belfast SouthEdwin PootsEdwin Poots elected Speaker of the Assembly at its first sitting.[10]
3 February 2024Newry and ArmaghJustin McNultyWhip suspended after leaving Assembly session early to manage Laois GAA at a gaelic match.[11]
20 August 2024Newry and ArmaghJustin McNultyWhip restored.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stormont: Michelle O'Neill set to become first nationalist first minister . 2024-02-03 . BBC News . 3 February 2024 . en-gb.
  2. Web site: Declaration of Return of new MLA - Lagan Valley Constituency.
  3. Web site: Declaration of Return of new MLA - North Antrim Constituency.
  4. Web site: Declaration of Return of new MLA - East Antrim Constituency.
  5. Web site: Declaration of Return of new MLA - South Down Constituency.
  6. Web site: Declaration of Return of new MLA - Lagan Valley constituency.
  7. Web site: Declaration of Return of new MLA - Lagan Valley constituency.
  8. Web site: Declaration of Return of new MLA - North Down constituency.
  9. Web site: Declaration of Return of new MLA - North Antrim constituency.
  10. Web site: Stormont: Michelle O'Neill set to become first nationalist first minister . 2024-02-03 . BBC News . 3 February 2024 . en-gb.
  11. News: Justin McNulty: SDLP suspend MLA who left Stormont for GAA game . BBC News . 3 February 2024 . 2024-02-03 . en-gb.
  12. News: Justin McNulty has SDLP whip restored . RTÉ News . 20 August 2024 . en-gb.