Executive of the 2nd Northern Ireland Assembly

{{Short description|Absent Northern Ireland Executive (2002–2007)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox government cabinet

|cabinet_name = Direct Rule (2002-2007)
Executive of the 2nd Northern Ireland Assembly

|cabinet_number =

|cabinet_type =

|jurisdiction =

|date_formed = 14 October 2002

|date_dissolved = 8 May 2007
(under the St Andrews Agreement{{Cite web |date=2022-05-30 |title=Northern Ireland: Direct Rule - House of Commons Library |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8638/ |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=commonslibrary.parliament.uk}})

|government_head = Secretary of State
John Reid (Oct 2002) {{Cite news |last=Toolis |first=Kevin |date=2002-03-02 |title=The operator |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/mar/02/northernireland.northernireland |access-date=2024-02-06 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
Paul Murphy (Oct 2002 - May 2005) {{Cite news |date=2018-04-10 |title=Amazing to help Good Friday Agreement says Paul Murphy |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-43711387 |access-date=2024-02-06 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |quote=Paul Murphy later served as Northern Ireland Secretary, from 2002-05}}
Peter Hain (May 2005 - May 2007) {{Cite news |date=2014-05-30 |title=Peter Hain: Historic Troubles trials give victims false hope |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27631520 |access-date=2024-02-06 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |quote=Peter Hain was Northern Ireland secretary from 2005 until 2007.}}

|government_head_history =

|deputy_government_head = None

|state_head = Elizabeth II

|current_number = None

|former_members_number =

|total_number =

|political_party = None

|legislature_status = Direct Rule {{Cite news |date=2017-09-04 |title=What is direct rule for Northern Ireland? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-41146779 |access-date=2024-02-06 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |quote=Direct rule was last used between 2002 and 2007 when Tony Blair was the British prime minister.}}

|opposition_cabinet =

|opposition_party =

|opposition_leader =

|election = 2003 assembly election

|last_election =

|legislature_term = 2nd Assembly (never convened)

|budget =

|incoming_formation =

|outgoing_formation =

|previous = 1st Executive of Northern Ireland

|successor = 3rd Executive of Northern Ireland

}}

Following the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2002 a new election was called in November 2003 in hope of restoring devolution, the election saw the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin emerge as the largest parties in the Assembly.{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 2003 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa03.htm |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}} The DUP refused to go into government with Sinn Féin meaning that direct rule would stay in place for another 5 years.

Northern Ireland had 3 Secretaries of States during the period of direct rule:{{Cite news |date=2017-09-04 |title=What is direct rule for Northern Ireland? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-41146779 |access-date=2024-02-06 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |quote=Direct rule was last used between 2002 and 2007 when Tony Blair was the British prime minister.}}

• John Reid in October 2002,{{Cite news |last=Toolis |first=Kevin |date=2002-03-02 |title=The operator |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/mar/02/northernireland.northernireland |access-date=2024-02-06 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
• Paul Murphy between October 2002 and May 2005,{{Cite news |date=2018-04-10 |title=Amazing to help Good Friday Agreement says Paul Murphy |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-43711387 |access-date=2024-02-06 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |quote=Paul Murphy later served as Northern Ireland Secretary, from 2002-05}}
• Peter Hain between May 2005 and May 2007.{{Cite news |date=2014-05-30 |title=Peter Hain: Historic Troubles trials give victims false hope |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27631520 |access-date=2024-02-06 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |quote=Peter Hain was Northern Ireland secretary from 2005 until 2007.}}

The assembly was officially dissolved in 2007 following the St Andrews Agreement.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-30 |title=Northern Ireland: Direct Rule - House of Commons Library |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8638/ |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=commonslibrary.parliament.uk}}