DARD Minister Michelle O'Neill

Michelle O’Neill MLA was appointed as Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Stormont Executive on Monday 16th May 2011.

Representing Sinn Fein in the Mid-Ulster Constituency, Michelle was first elected to the local Assembly in 2007. During this term she held the position of deputy Chair of the Committee for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) and was also a member of Committee for the Department of Education (DE).

Michelle was elected to Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council in 2005 and in 2006 was the first woman to take the role of Deputy Mayor.  In 2010 she was the first female Mayor of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council.

Coming from a rural community, Michelle has an interest in rural issues, and maintaining the rural way of life, she is a keen supporter of rural regeneration. She has a strong background in social welfare issues and is a qualified welfare rights advisor.

Michelle is married to Paddy and with their two children, Saoirse and Ryan, live at Clonoe, County Tyrone.