Youth Assembly all set for Fourth Plenary

The Northern Ireland Youth Assembly is set to hold its fourth plenary sitting tomorrow (Saturday 5 November) at 1.30pm in the Assembly Chamber.  The sitting will see Youth Assembly members come together to represent the voice of all young people across Northern Ireland. At the meeting they will provide an update on their work to date and participate in an important debate on the minimum age of criminal responsibility here.

Speaker Alex Maskey who will be chairing the sitting said: “Once again, I am really looking forward to seeing and hearing from our Youth Assembly members. The Youth Assembly Committees have been working hard, focusing on their issues and discussing how they can make a difference and what change they’d like to see.  All of the areas the young people are focusing on - Health, Education, Environment and Rights and Equality - are extremely important to everyone who lives here, and it’s imperative that young people’s voices are represented so they too can help find ways to better our public services here and improve people’s quality of life.

Speaker Maskey concluded: “This will be the fourth Youth Assembly plenary sitting and I look forward to seeing members in the Assembly Chamber, making speeches, contributing to debates and participating in voting.  It is an excellent opportunity for our young people to be so closely involved in democracy, to learn how the political system works, and how to negotiate, influence and listen compassionately to the views of others. In turn, I think we all can learn from their level of enthusiasm, and their passion and strive for progress, and I look forward to seeing how their ideas and views are heard across the political spectrum here.”

During the sitting, rapporteurs from each of the four Youth Assembly Committees will present a report on their work and invite questions and comments from the floor.  In addition, a selection of members will provide an update on the business of the Youth Assembly, including key meetings with officials, contributions to consultations, and training undertaken. The young people will then hold a debate on the following motion: “This house believes that the minimum age of criminal responsibility should be raised in Northern Ireland from 10 to 14.” A vote on the motion will take place before the sitting comes a close.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

• The Youth Assembly held its first plenary sitting (virtually) on Friday 2 July 2021. The second plenary sitting was held in person in the Great Hall of Parliament Buildings on Saturday 6 November 2021. The third plenary sitting was held in the Assembly Chamber on Saturday 5 March 2022.
• There are four Youth Assembly Committees – Health, Education, Environment, Rights and Equality.
• The Youth Assembly consists of 90 members, aged between 13 to 17.
• Each Youth Assembly mandate lasts for two years. The current mandate is 2021-2023.

For any media queries please contact:

Caroline Moore
The Communications Office
Northern Ireland Assembly
Mobile: 07900 278992
Email: caroline.moore@niassembly.gov.uk