A Guide to the
Northern Ireland Assembly
Devolution of Power to Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Assembly was established following the signing of the Belfast Agreement (also known as the ‘Good Friday’ Agreement because it was signed on that day). The Agreement was the result of extended talks between the political parties in Northern Ireland and the Governments of the United Kingdom and Ireland. The talks covered how Northern Ireland should be governed in the future to ensure that the aspirations of all communities could be democratically accommodated. The Agreement was signed on 10 April 1998.
The electorate of Northern Ireland endorsed the Belfast Agreement in a referendum held on 22 May 1998. This paved the way for new legislation (the Northern Ireland Act 1998) which defined the future institutions of government in Northern Ireland, and for collaboration between the governments of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The referendum was followed by elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly, on 25 June 1998, when 108 Members were elected using the single transferable vote form of proportional representation. Six members were returned from each of Northern Ireland’s 18 Westminster constituencies. Those elected are known as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
 Plenary session of the Northern Ireland Assembly |
The ‘new Northern Ireland Assembly’ first met in ‘shadow’ form, i.e. without powers of government, on 1st July 1998 to prepare for government. The new Assembly continued to operate in ‘shadow’ form until, at midnight on 1st December 1999, powers of government were devolved to it by the United Kingdom Parliament. Following this, the Northern Ireland Assembly (the word ‘new’ being dropped from the name) could govern Northern Ireland in respect of ‘transferred matters’, and also ‘reserved matters’ with the Secretary of State’s consent. Excepted matters remain the responsibility of the United Kingdom Parliament:
- Transferred Matters: e.g Education, health and agriculture;
- Reserved Matters: e.g Policing and criminal law, which could be transferred to the Assembly at a later date;
- Excepted Matters: Matters of national importance – such as, defence, taxation and foreign policy.
The first meeting of the new Northern Ireland Assembly took place in Castle Buildings, a Civil Service building located within the Stormont Estate. The second and subsequent meetings were held in Parliament Buildings, its present home.
The second election to the Northern Ireland Assembly was on the 26 November 2003. Currently, there are 7 political parties represented in the Assembly and one independent Member who reflect the wide and diverse views and political opinion of the electorate of Northern Ireland.
History of the establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly
1998 10 APRIL
1 JULY 31 JULY |
Belfast Agreement signed by political parties and British and Irish Governments Referendum on Agreement endorsed by majority of the electorate in Northern Ireland First election to the Northern Ireland Assembly 'Shadow' Assembly in Session The House of Commons, Westminster, introduces legislation to give effect to the Agreement (NI Act, Nov 1998) |
1999 29 NOVEMBER 2 DECEMBER 6 DECEMBER |
Ministers, Chairpersons and deputy Chairpersons appointed Power devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly First meeting of the Assembly with devolved powers |
What are the powers of the Northern Ireland Assembly?
The Assembly has full executive and legislative authority for all "transferred" matters.
Executive powers are concerned with the administration of public services – health, education, social security, environment, etc. and are discharged by the Government Departments (the Civil Service). The Assembly delegates its executive powers to an Executive Committee made up of a First Minister and Deputy First Minister, and one Minister for each of the 10 Government Departments. Members of the Executive Committee are appointed from the 108 MLAs according to party strengths.
The Executive Committee brings forward proposals for new legislation, in the form of ‘Executive Bills’, for consideration by the Assembly. It also sets out a Programme for Government each year, with an agreed budget for approval by the Assembly.
How does the Assembly carry out its work?
The Assembly carries out its work in Plenary (full) meetings of the Assembly and by the work of its Statutory, Standing and Ad Hoc Committees.
Plenary meetings of the Assembly are usually held twice a week (on Mondays and Tuesdays) in the Assembly Chamber.
Statutory Committees were established under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Each of the 10 Statutory Committees shadows a Northern Ireland Government Department. They have the power to examine, debate and recommend changes to the policies and decisions of the Departments. This includes, for example, how money is shared and spent by Departments and any new legislation proposed by the Executive. The Committees can initiate Legislation.
The Statutory Committees may also carry out independent investigations into any current issues that Ministers may be considering. This can involve asking organisations and people in the community to provide information.
Six Standing Committees were established by the Assembly to assist it in its work. They look at issues such as finance, procedures, and the business of the Assembly. The Committee of the Centre, although a Standing Committee, operates in the same way as a Statutory Committee and shadows certain aspects of the work of the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister.
The Assembly can also set up Ad Hoc Committees that last only as long as they are needed to do a specific piece of work e.g. review of life sentences and proceeds of crime.
Office Holders: Committee Chairs, and those who wish to act as members of the various Committees, are appointed using a selection system that ensures each Assembly party is represented according to the votes it received in the election. The 11 Members of each Statutory Committee, including the Chair and Deputy Chair, are also appointed in a way that reflects party representation in the Assembly, and the Chair and Deputy Chair do not normally belong to the same political party as the relevant Departmental Minister.
Voting Systems
Most decisions of the Assembly are taken by a simple majority of those voting. However, some decisions require cross-community support including:
- The election of the Speaker, First Minister and Deputy First Minister
- Any change to the Assembly’s ‘Standing Orders’ (i.e. the procedural rules developed by the Assembly itself), and
- A motion to exclude a Minister from office.
Since power was devolved to Northern Ireland the Assembly has been suspended a number of times. During suspension the Secretary of State assumes responsibility for the direction of the Northern Ireland Departments.
How does the Assembly make laws?
The Assembly has the power to enact primary legislation for Northern Ireland. Primary legislation takes the form of ‘Acts’. Proposals for (or draft) legislation are referred to as "Bills" until approved by the Assembly, accepted by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and given Royal Assent to become an Act.
Ministers, Committees and individual Members can propose a Bill to the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly for consideration by the Assembly. If the Speaker is content that the proposals are within the Assembly’s competence the Bill is then introduced and debated in the Chamber and scrutinised by the appropriate Statutory Committee. The Committee reports back to the Assembly allowing Members to consider the detail of the Bill and to propose amendments. It is then considered further by the Assembly and a final vote is taken.
If approved, the Speaker will ask the Secretary of State to seek Royal Assent to enable the Bill to become an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Weekly diary of an MLA
MLAs have many commitments to fill their working week. In addition to two Plenary sessions of the Assembly most members attend one or more Committee meetings and deal with constituency business, clinics etc.
To view a sample diary of an MLA diary please click here.
