The Northern Ireland Assembly's First Minister has been set a salary of £60,164, the British government announced yesterday. The head of the executive committee, to be elected tomorrow when the Assembly meets for the first time, will receive nearly £31,000 more than other members of the new parliament.
The Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, is still favourite to assume the top position, although his earnings as a Westminster MP would reduce his salary in the Belfast Assembly to about £41,000 plus expenses of £15,000 a year.
The Deputy First Minister will be entitled to a basic salary of £54,876, although if it is the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, he would be allowed only £35,000 of that because of the £19,000 forfeit for sitting MPs. Each of the 10 ministers who will serve in the executive will draw £45,069 a year, as will the Assembly's presiding officer, effectively its speaker.
The deputy presiding officer will also receive extra money, an allowance of £78.88 for each day he or she takes the chair of the Assembly.