Unionists Replace Sir Reg On Executive

The Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy (pictured) has today taken over from Sir Reg Empey as Minister for Employment and Learning at the Stormont Executive.

The widely anticipated move by the newly installed leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Tom Elliott was part of a reshuffle to his Assembly team.

As Sir Reg - the outgoing party leader - steps down from his Executive role, MLA John McAlister replaces Danny Kennedy as the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Deputy Leader.

Tom Elliott said: "I have taken time to consider opportunities for change within the Assembly team following my election last month, and from today Danny Kennedy will head up the Department of Employment and Learning and John McCallister will sit as Deputy Leader of the Assembly team.

"I am extremely grateful to all my colleagues for their hard work across all portfolios, and know that they will continue to do so in the best interests of Northern Ireland," he said, also paying tribute to Sir Reg Empey for his contribution to Employment and Learning.

"Sir Reg exemplified what an Executive Minister should be - entirely committed to collective responsibility, mindful of the wider national debates, respectful of the Assembly's authority and role, and utterly determined to promote economic growth.

"The strong emphasis he placed on working with business to ensure the education system was aligned with our economic needs and his passion for ensuring that all people had strong literacy and numeracy skills has made a vital contribution to Northern Ireland's economic and social well-being," he said.

Meanwhile, the Newry and Armagh MLA Danny Kennedy has said that he looks forward to the challenges of his new role: "As we enter an extremely difficult financial period, I am committed to working with my Executive colleagues to ensure that we make the most of the resources available to us now and for the future.

"It is a great honour to be taking up a Ministerial post, and I look forward to building on the excellent work done by my predecessor, Sir Reg Empey, with the dedicated team within the Department of Education and Learning."

Commenting on the post of Deputy Leader John McCallister said: "I am delighted to take up this post and look forward to building towards the Assembly elections next year.

"The Ulster Unionist Party has always providing leadership and along with my Assembly colleagues I look forward to the challenges ahead."

The other changes to the UUP Assembly team just revealed are that leader, Tom Elliott replaces Danny Kennedy as Chair of the First & Deputy First Ministers Office Committee (OFMdFM) while on the Social Development Committee, John McCallister replaces Billy Armstrong.

For the outgoing Minister, there is a place on the Education Committee with Sir Reg Empey replacing John McCallister and also a role replacing Tom Elliott on the Justice Committee.

On the Assembly Executive Review Committee, Tom Elliott replaces Danny Kennedy and on the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, east Antrim MLA Roy Beggs replaces Tom Elliott as Deputy Chair.

On the Regional Development Committee Billy Armstrong replaces Danny Kinahan and George Savage replaces Roy Beggs on the Environment Committee.

A step up for another relative 'new boy' sees Danny Kinahan replacing Danny Kennedy on the important OFMdFM Committee and on the Standards and Privileges Committee. Billy Armstrong replaces George Savage.

There has also been changes to party spokesmen with John McCallister appointed as the Department of Social Development spokesman while the new Environment Spokesman is Templepatrick MLA, Danny Kinahan.

The Agriculture Spokesman is Roy Beggs and the Justice Spokesman is David McNarry.

(BMcC/GK)