What is the mechanism for removing a Minister from the Northern Ireland Executive?

The mechanism for removing a Minister from the Northern Ireland Executive is indeed through a vote of no confidence in the Executive. This process allows the Assembly to express disapproval of a Minister's actions or performance, ultimately leading to their removal if sufficient support exists among Assembly members.

In the context of the Northern Ireland Assembly, a vote of no confidence serves as a critical check on ministerial power, ensuring accountability and transparency within the Executive. If a significant number of elected representatives determine that a Minister is not fulfilling their duties satisfactorily, they can initiate this formal procedure to call for their removal, reflecting democratic principles within the governance structure.

Other options, such as a referendum, resignation, or parliamentary debate, do not directly pertain to the specific process of removing a Minister from the Executive as defined by the operational rules of the Northern Ireland Assembly. A referendum would involve a wider public vote rather than one conducted within the Assembly. Resignation is at the discretion of the Minister rather than a formal mechanism of removal initiated by the Assembly. Parliamentary debate may raise issues or discuss confidence but does not directly enact removal without the formal procedure of a vote of no confidence.