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 for consideration by the Assembly. If the Speaker is content that a Bill is within the Assembly’s competence, it is 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.

            Committee meeting                     Library

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.