What powers the First Minister has to discipline and terminate the employment of civil servants.

Powers in relation to personnel issues such as the recruitment and appointment of staff outside the Senior Civil Service, discipline and the termination of employment of civil servants are delegated to the First Minister under the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992. These powers are exercised on the First Minister's behalf by civil servants in accordance with the rules and principles set out in the Civil Service Management Code and in the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code.