Welcome to the Northern Ireland Assembly

Motion: Democratic Consent Resolution

Today the Assembly debates a motion on the democratic consent resolution. The motion proposes that Articles 5 to 10 of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland to the EU withdrawal agreement should continue to apply during the new continuation period (within the meaning of Schedule 6A to the Northern Ireland Act 1998).

These articles are the the parts of the Windsor Framework relating to the EU single market.

The debate is scheduled to begin at 1.00pm but please note that timings are indicative and can depend on the pace of preceding business.

• Watch the debate live on the Assembly's TV site.
• Check today's Order Paper and indicative timings

Further information

• Find out more about the democratic consent mechanism.
• Watch the Assemby Speaker announce receipt of notice of the motion in the Assembly Chamber last week.
• Read correspondence from the Speaker to all Members on the Democratic Consent Motion (letter dated 2 December 2024)

Featured News

Read the featured news from the Northern Ireland Assembly.

• PRESS RELEASE: Delays in Opening New Maternity Hospital Are Deeply Concerning, Says Assembly’s Health Committee
• PRESS RELEASE: Rural Issues Top of the Agenda for Assembly Committee
• Miss the Older People's Parliament on 12 October 2024? Watch it back to see what was debated...
• Joint Communiqué: Ninth Plenary of the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association
• Watch our virtual tour of Parliament Buildings
• View the latest tender opportunities...
• Brexit and Beyond - learn more about Brexit and Northern Ireland. Stay up-to-date with the latest developments.

Recruitment Opportunities

Current recruitment opportunities in the Northern Ireland Assembly:

• Head of the Research and Information Service (Deadline for applications - 12pm Monday 6 January 2025)

Further information:

• For more information, to learn about temporary opportunities and to sign up for updates, visit our recruitment website.

Consultations on Members' Bills Proposals

• Eóin Tennyson MLA has launched a consultation on his Banning of Conversion Practices Bill. Find out more...
• Danny Donnelly MLA launches consultation on his Disability Rights Bill. Find out more…
• Peter McReynolds MLA has initiated a consultation for his Trees Protection Bill. Find out more…
• Sinead McLaughlin has launched a consultation on regional jobs, skills and investment. Find out more…
• Gerry Carroll MLA has initiated a consultation for his People’s Housing Bill. Find out more…
• John Blair MLA has initiated a consultation for his Hunting of Wild Mammals with Dogs Bill. Find out more…
• Danny Baker MLA is consulting on a Member’s Bill to End Holiday Hunger. Find out more…’

Inquiries, Consultations and Calls for Evidence - Have your say

As part of their regular scrutiny duties, Committees may ask stakeholders and members of the public for their views and submissions on a particular subject or piece of legislation.

This is a chance for you to have your say and help Committees with their work.

We have a dedicated Citizen Space hub for our consultations which you can visit to see what is currently being consulted upon.

You can check out current calls for evidence below:

Please note that these consultation links will take you to our Citizen Space site.

• Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee Inquiry into replacement EU act on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures. (EXTERNAL LINK)
• Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee Inquiry into replacement EU Act on liability for defective products. (EXTERNAL LINK)
• Committee for Education Inquiry into Relationship and Sexuality Education (survey closes Tuesday 19 November 2024) [EXTERNAL LINK]

• Have your say on the issues that should be debated in the Women's Parliament in February 2025. Find out more and complete the survey (survey closes 28 November 2024) [EXTERNAL LINK]
• Committee for Health Inquiry into Access to Palliative Care Services (survey closes Friday 10 January 2024)
• Consultation on the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission's draft Disability Action Plan 2025-2030 (survey closes Monday 17 February 2025)
• Consultation on the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission's draft Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030 (survey closes Monday 17 February 2025)

View the status of all our consultations by visiting our Citizen Space hub hompage [EXTERNAL LINK]

You can also view previous calls for evidence on our Citizen Space 'Find activities' page [EXTERNAL LINK]

Youth Assembly

The second mandate of the Youth Assembly is underway.

• Visit the Youth Assembly website for all the latest news...