PRESS RELEASE

28 April 2008

PO 01/07/08

REFURBISHMENT FOR ASSEMBLY CHAMBER

The Assembly Chamber at Parliament Buildings will undergo extensive enhancements in the summer of 2008, the Assembly Commission announced today.

The Speaker, Mr William Hay, MLA, Chairman of the Assembly Commission said, “The Commission is keen to promote its vision of engagement and will be ensuring that this investment in the chamber gives the public a much better chance to attend and observe the Assembly’s business.”

The refurbishment will include improvements to the visitor space in the galleries to provide improved visual and audio facilities for all those viewing proceedings. There will also be improvements to the Chamber facilities for visitors and Members with disabilities to ensure that the Chamber is a facility available to all.

In order to ensure that the public continue to receive quality coverage of the Assembly on television, radio and the internet, the now outdated broadcasting equipment will also be replaced.

The programme of work will also address ongoing problems on the floor of the Chamber with heating and sound.

ENDS

For further enquiries, please contact the NI Assembly Press Office, telephone 028 90521137.