FOI 8-24: First Minister and Speaker oaths on appointment

Information Standards Freedom of Information Response

Our Ref: FoI 8-24

22 February 2024

Freedom of Information Act 2000

I am writing to confirm that the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (Assembly Commission) has processed your request dated 24 January 2024 in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). In this request, which I have numbered for ease of reference, you asked for the following information:

(i) Does the First Minister of Northern Ireland have to take an oath on appointment? - If so please supply a copy of the wording.

Before taking up office, Northern Ireland Ministers including the First Minister and deputy First Minister must affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office prescribed by Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 at Appendix A. 

(ii) Does the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly have to take an oath of office? - If so please supply a copy of the wording.

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly does not take an oath of office.

You have the right to request an internal review of this decision by the Assembly Commission.  If you wish to request such a review, please write to me at the above address.  If, after that review, you are dissatisfied with the way in which the Assembly Commission has handled your request for information, you may complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Your request for information and our response may be published in the disclosure log maintained by the Assembly Commission under a publication scheme agreed with the ICO. The request and our response will be anonymised. 

Yours sincerely

Data Protection and Governance Officer