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Former Social Democratic and Labour Party leader John Hume receives the papal knighthood at a special Mass in Derry's St Eugene's Cathedral.
2012-10-6

South Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell is elected leader of Northern Ireland's Social Democratic and Labour Party, replacing Margaret Ritchie who stepped down in September.
2011-11-5

Sinn Féin nominate John O'Dowd to replace Martin McGuinness on a temporary basis as deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.
2011-09-19

Sinn Fein announces that Martin McGuinness, current Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and former Irish Republican Army commander, will be a candidate for the Irish presidential election with John O'Dowd serving as acting Deputy First Minister.
2011-09-18

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader and South Down MP Margaret Ritchie resigns from the Northern Ireland Executive. Alex Attwood is the new Minister for Social Development.
2010-05-24

Peter Robinson, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Northern Ireland First Minister, loses the seat he has held for 31 years in Belfast East to Naomi Long of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland.
2010-05-7

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie defeats Alasdair McDonnell in an election to become leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) following Mark Durkan's resignation yesterday. She is the first woman to take charge of the party in its history and the first female leader of a major party in Northern Ireland.
2010-02-7

Former Northern Irish First Minister Peter Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, tells "The Sunday Times" that the conduct of his wife, politician Iris Robinson, with her young lover has led him to shake hands with deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin) for the first time.
2010-01-17

Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson temporarily hands over his position to Arlene Foster in the wake of the ongoing political scandal surrounding his wife and fellow politician Iris Robinson.
2010-01-11

Iris Robinson, the wife of Northern Ireland's First Minister, admits having previously attempted suicide. Her husband Peter Robinson gives an emotional interview in which he speaks of being "deeply hurt" after learning of her extramarital affair.
2010-01-6