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 521864committee.socialdevelopment@niassembly.gov.uk

End of Presentation

• Contact NI Assembly Information 9052 1137

• www.niassembly.gov.uk

Thank you for listening