A Guide to the Northern Ireland Assembly

What is it?

The Northern Ireland Assembly is an elected body that has full executive (decision making) and legislative (law making) power over 'transferred matters', areas of law and governance that have been devolved from Westminster for example education, health and agriculture.  Other areas such as policing and criminal law are considered 'reserved matters' as they are to be transferred at a later date.  As for issues of national importance such as defence, foreign policy and taxation, they will remain with Westminster, deemed 'excepted matters'.

The assembly was established as part of the Good Friday Agreement but was suspended from 14^th October 2002 until 8^th May 2007.  There was a Transitional Assembly established after the St Andrews Agreement between November 2006 and May 2007 although it possessed no decision making powers as these were only restored on the 8^th May 2007.

The body of the assembly is made up of 108 elected MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) representing 8 different political parties.  Rev Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness as Ministers for  the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister and the other 10 government departments Ministers, appointed according to party strength, come together to form the Executive Committee.  The Executive has various roles: They bring proposals for primary legislation in the form of Bills and subordinate legislation in the form of statutory rules, set the programme for government each year and present the budget for approval by the assembly. 

What does it do and how?

The work of the Assembly is carried out in various different ways.  The whole assembly meets twice weekly for Plenary Meetings in the Assembly Chamber where matters are discussed and voted upon in full view of the public gallery. 

11 Statutory Committees then carry out the vast majority of work concerning legislation, public scrutiny (e.g. initiating inquiries), advising, and consultation.  The committees are based upon the 11 government departments. [More information on the Departments/Committees]

In addition there are 6 Standing Committees which deal with issues predominantly concerned with the running and resourcing of the Assembly.  Finally, Ad Hoc Committees, like the name suggests, are set up as and when needed for time bounded issues that may need special attention. 

Why and how should I get involved?

As most of the policies that affect our everyday lives come from the Assembly, whether that is school closures, the water charge, or funding for our local hospitals, changes can only come if we get involved.  MLAs, as elected representatives, can only perform their duties in the Assembly if they are made aware of the concerns faced by their constituents.  Engaging with the process is the only way the desired issues are brought to the table, in this case the Assembly Chamber, and the outcome of decisions influenced.  

It is very easy to get involved!

Details on how to contact all MLAs can be found on sites such as www.theyworkforyou.com., where you can also find records of all the debates that have taken place in the Assembly and how particular MLAs may have contributed [Example letter to MLA].  The official Assembly website, www.niassembly.gov.uk also contains details of assembly business and agendas.   If particularly interested in an upcoming debate, the public gallery is open for most Monday and Tuesday Plenary Meetings, some committees are also open to the public (details can be found on the Assembly website).

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