Parliament Buildings
Home of the Northern Ireland Assembly
www.niassembly.gov.uk
The Northern Ireland Assembly
• Established under the ‘Belfast/Good Friday Agreement’ of 10 April 1998.
• First election to the Assembly – 25 June 1998.• Power was first handed over on 2 December 1999.• The Assembly was suspended on 14 October 2002.• Second elections to the Assembly – 26 Nov 2003.• St Andrews Agreement – 13 October 2006• Third election – 7 March 2007• Powers were restored on 8 May 2007.
Constituency Map
Current Party Representation
Social Democratic and Labour Party
16
Democratic Unionist Party
36
Sinn Fein
28
The Alliance Party
7
Progressive Unionist Party
1
Green Party
1
Independent
Health Coalition
1
Ulster Unionist
Party
18
Total = 108 MLAs
* formed 16 May 2007
Northern Ireland Assembly Party Leaders
DUP SF UUP
SDLP APNI PUP
Green
Party Member
Ind
Health
Coalition
Ian
Paisley
Reg
Empey
Mark
Durkan
David
Ford
Dawn Purvis
Brian Wilson
Gerry
Adams
Kieran Deeny
Devolution The transfer of certain powers from a central
government to a regional government. Allows decisions to be made at a level closer to
the people they affect. Central government retains power over certain
areas. Northern Ireland continues to elect MPs to House
of Commons The Secretary of State continues to represent
NI’s interests in Cabinet.
108 Elected Membersincluding
Speaker & Deputy Speakers
First and Deputy First Ministers
Assembly Executive Committee ‘Cabinet’
10 Executive Department Ministers
The Governance of Northern Ireland
The Committee System
The Speaker
• Elected by the House to preside over meetings of the NI Assembly
• Maintains a politically neutral stance – has no vote.
• Ensures that procedures are followed and order is maintained in the Chamber.
• 3 Deputy Speakers:– John Dallat SDLP
– Francie Molloy SF
– David McClarty UUP
Mr William Hay MLA
What’s happening now?
• A Draft Programme for Government is in preparation.
• Plenary debates on topics of interest to MLAs.
• Statutory Committees established; each is being briefed by Depts and formulating forward work plans.
• Executive is considering legislative programme
2007/2008 Legislative Programme
• Taxis Bill • Libraries Bill• Education Structures Bill• Public Authorities Reform Bill• Diseases of Animals Bill• Road Freight Licensing Bill• Pensions Bill • Presumption of Death Bill• Charities Bill• Budget Bills • Building Regulations Bill• Civil Registration Bill• Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill• Children (Emergency Protection Orders) Bill• Public Health (Amendment) Bill• Child Maintenance Bill• Mesothelioma Bill
Assembly Operation
• Monday and Tuesday sittings (public)• Question Time on Mondays 2.30-4.00pm• Adjournment debates• Written and oral questions
Committees• Most of the day-to-day work of the Assembly is done
in Committees.• 3 types of Committees:
Statutory Standing Ad Hoc
• Membership of Committees broadly reflects party strength in the Assembly.
• Most Committees have 11 members.• Meetings are usually held weekly and last 2 – 3 hours.
Committee Inquiry Process
• Terms of Reference
• Written Evidence
• Oral Evidence
• Published Report
Coming Soon?
• More modernity?
• Intensified scrutiny
• More boring politics
• Assembly and Executive Review Committee
• Relationship with local government?
• Relationship with other countries?
Programme for Government
• Growing a dynamic, innovative economy
• Promoting tolerance, inclusion, health & well-being
• Protecting and enhancing our environment and natural resources
• Investing in our infrastructure
• Deliver modern high quality and efficient public services
• Investment Strategy
• Questions – oral and written• Adjournment Debates• Full debates in plenary• Petitions• Committee Inquiries• Committee Visits
Maximise your impact
• Get to know the MLAs• Attend committee meetings• Attend plenary business• Ask an MLA to sponsor an event• Invite MLAs to events, launches, celebrations • Ask an MLA for a quote
Maximise your impact
Lobbying MLAs
• What is lobbying?• Who can lobby the Assembly?• Who do I lobby?• Does lobbying get results?
– Draft Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007- successfully annulled through trade union lobbying.
Department of Social Development Committee
Anna Lo
Alliance
Gregory Campbell ChairDUP
Jonathan CraigDUP
David HilditchDeputy ChairDUP
Michelle McIlveenDUP
Mickey BradySinn Fein
Fra McCannSinn Fein
Mrs Claire McGillSinn Fein
Thomas BurnsSDLP
Alban MaginnessSDLP
Fred CobainUUP
Committee Clerk:Marie Austin(028) 90 [email protected]
End of Presentation
• Contact NI Assembly Information 9052 1137
• www.niassembly.gov.uk
Thank you for listening