Research Papers 2012
Synopsis: Here you will find a list of Committee on Procedures research papers published during 2012.
Political Groups
- Date: 23/05/2012
This briefing paper provides information on the formation of political/technical groups in the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales, Dáil Eireann and the European Parliament. It highlights the provision made for such groups within Standing Orders in each legislature and identifies the ability of such groups, where it exists, to bring forward motions and draft legislation and access to resources.
Committee Stages of Bills
- Date: 21/05/2012
This research paper compares the committee stages of the legislative process in the devolved legislatures, House of Commons and Dail Éireann.
Topical questions
- Date: 29/02/2012
This briefing paper has been prepared to inform the Committee on Procedures work on the issue of topical questions. In the UK, topical questions are a particular facility within Question Time in the House of Commons. However, as this paper shows, the concept of topical questions is interpreted differently across legislatures.
Family-friendly practices
- Date: 29/02/2012
This briefing paper has been prepared to inform the Committee on Procedures work on the issue of family-friendly practices. A previous paper, NIAR 369-11, provided information on family-friendly sittings in other legislatures. This briefing provides supplementary information on the topic and addresses the following issues An update on the House of Commons Procedure Committee inquiry into ‘Sittings of the House and the Parliamentary calendar’ Time restrictions on legislative debates in other legislatures How the aspiration to have family friendly sittings could be reflected in Standing Orders, or is it more appropriate to reflect this elsewhere?
Procedure when a Member is not present in the Chamber to ask their question
- Date: 29/02/2012
This briefing paper has been prepared to inform the Committee on Procedures work on Standing Order 20(9) of the Northern Ireland Assembly. This paper looks at practice in other legislatures when similar circumstances arise.
Use of electronic devices in plenary
- Date: 29/02/2012
This briefing paper has been prepared to inform the Committee on Procedures work on the use of electronic devices in the Chamber. It outlines the rules and procedures in other legislatures including the House of Commons, Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Dail Éireann. It also highlights international examples where appropriate.
