The announcement was made in the Assembly chamber this Wednesday afternoon as First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster nominated Michelle McIlveen for the position.

The new minister was educated at Methodist College Belfast and graduated from Queen's University with a Masters in Irish Politics and a Certificate in Education. She previously worked as a history and politics teacher and in her family business in Newtonards.

Minister McIlveen was elected to Ards Borough Council in 2005 and to the NI Assembly for Strangford constituency in 2007.

In the last Assembly Minister McIlveen served as chair of the Assembly’s Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee and served briefly as Regional Development Minister before the election on 5 May.

Minister McIlveen takes over the agriculture portfolio from new Health Minister Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein who was Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development prior to the restructuring of government departments earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Linda Dillon of Sinn Fein has been appointed as chairperson on the committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. The Mid-Ulster MLA is new to the Assembly, having replaced Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in the constituency following his move to Foyle.

Her party colleague and South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney has been appointed deputy chairperson.