Assembly and Executive Review Committee’s Terms of Reference for and approach to this Review

The Committee agreed the Terms of Reference of this Review on 24 June 2014 as follows: 

i. Analyse the key challenges / barriers facing women in relation to entry into politics in Northern Ireland and in particular this Assembly
ii. Examine potential existing initiatives which would assist women in relation to entry into politics in this Assembly
iii. Examine what are the merits of ‘positive actions’ that have been successful within the United Kingdom and Ireland and within other jurisdictions, and to consider their potential impact in the context of Northern Ireland and in particular this Assembly
iv. Provide recommendations / conclusions on i to iii above, including initiatives / mechanisms to enhance the role of women already active in the political arena in Northern Ireland and in particular this Assembly

Phase 1 – Review Evidence Gathering 

The Review will take evidence on Women in Politics in the Northern Ireland Assembly in relation to the (i) to (iv) above.  This will include evidence from Assembly Research and Information Services, expert / academic witnesses, a public ‘Call for Evidence’ and from visits to other legislatures.

Phase 2 – Consideration and Report

The Committee will consider all evidence received in relation to Women in Politics and the Northern Ireland Assembly and report and provide recommendations / conclusions to the Assembly on these matters by in late autumn 2014.

Matters Outside the Scope of the Review

The Committee has agreed that the following issue is outside of the scope of the Review: 

• Alternative electoral systems / models