How does the Assembly carry out its work?

The Assembly carries out its work in Plenary (full) meetings of the Assembly and in 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. As a result of the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006, the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister also became a statutory committee.

Each of the 11 statutory committees has legislative, scrutiny, advisory and consultative roles. Specifically, in accordance with the Belfast Agreement, each has the power to:

• Consider and advise on departmental budgets and annual plans;
• Consider secondary legislation and take the committee stage of primary legislation;
• Initiate inquiries and make reports; and
• Consider matters brought to their attention by ministers.

Statutory Committees can also initiate legislation. Their work, particularly in relation to inquiries, can involve asking organisations and people to provide information.

Six Standing Committees have been established by the Assembly to assist it in its work. These Committees look at issues such as arranging plenary business, reviewing Standing Orders and Assembly procedures, matters relating to the conduct of members and privilege, and the use of resources by Departments and government agencies.

The Assembly can also set up Ad Hoc Committees to consider specific, time bounded issues and these committees usually only last as long as they are needed to carry out their work and report to the Assembly.

Office Holders: Committee Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons are appointed using a selection system (d’Hondt mechanism) that ensures each Assembly party is represented according to the number of seats it has in the Assembly. Membership of the committees also reflects party strengths.

The Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Statutory Committees 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
• 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 assumed responsibility for the direction of the Northern Ireland Departments.