Loyal and long-serving DUP MLA, William Irwin has announced his decision to step down as a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
In a letter addressed to members this morning (December 4), Chief Executive of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Timothy Johnston announced the MLA’s decision.
Mr Irwin – who is also a dairy farmer – entered into politics almost 19 years ago following his son’s untimely death by drowning at age 15.
In the aftermath of that incredibly tragic loss, Mr Irwin was visited by DUP founder, Dr Ian Paisley who prayed with the family and “offered great support”.
As a dairy farmer from County Armagh, Mr Irwin was incredibly passionate about agriculture. During his time he also served as chair of the Agriculture committee at Stormont and as the DUP’s spokesperson for Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
Mr Irwin has represented the people of Newry and Armagh as an Assembly member since 2005.
He served as the Deputy Chair of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure and a member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee before being appointed as Chair of the Agriculture Committee in September 2014.
Following the 2016 Assembly Election William was appointed as the Deputy Chair of the Infrastructure Committee.
The letter addressed to members by Mr Johnston reads: “Mr William Irwin MLA has written to the party leader to give notice that he intends to step down from his role as a member of the NI Assembly.
“William has been a DUP MLA since 2007 and has served both the Party and the people of Newry and Armagh loyally for almost 19 years.
“Previously he served on Armagh District Council being first elected as a DUP Councillor in 2005 to the Orchard DEA. William has worked tirelessly to deliver for his constituents and from 2017 has been the only unionist elected to the Assembly from Newry and Armagh.
“We are deeply indebted to William for his years of public service to our Party and his constituency. As William steps back from front line politics he does so with our utmost respect and gratitude for his faithful, loyal and integrity-centred service and we wish him and his wife Olive every blessing for the future.”
The Party are now required to commence the process to fill his vacancy with the Party nominating officer (Party Leader) given the legal power of appointment.
Party Officers have agreed a process to ensure local participation in the appointment process and that the Party meets its legal obligations.
Local constituency members will be informed and given the opportunity to submit their name for consideration and subsequent interview by the party officers.
Expressions of interest are being accepted for the position with a deadline for submission as of 5pm on Tuesday November 9.
