Long-serving DUP MLA William “Willie” Hay is to stand down from the Assembly in the North.
Born near Milford in County Donegal, the 63-year-old is the current Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
After attending Faughan Valley High School in Drumahoe, he was elected to Derry City Council in 1981 for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), serving as Mayor in 1993 and Deputy Mayor in 1992.
He was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly as an MLA for Foyle in 1998 and was elected Speaker on 8 May 2007.
He is a member of the Northern Ireland Housing Council, Derry Port and Harbour Commission and in 2001 became a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
He also is a prominent member of the Orange Order and Apprentice Boys of Derry.
It is understood he will leave the Assembly in June next year.
Hay has always spoken fondly of his Donegal roots – and carries an Irish passport.
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