Your MLAs
MLAs - Members of the Legislative Assembly - can help you if you have concerns about matters such as policing and justice, health and social care, tourism and trade and investment.
Every MLA has an office in their constituency to enable them to provide a constituency service. They meet with constituents, listen to their views and act on their behalf to resolve problems. MLAs will contact relevant bodies and can raise the profile of an issue in the media. MLAs communicate with their constituents by email, telephone, letter and social media.
At plenary meetings in the Assembly Chamber Members will raise constituency concerns when making speeches during debates. They can also table motions for debate, including adjournment debates which usually deal with specific issues in their constituency.
When considering legislation MLAs can propose an amendment to a bill which they believe improves the law and benefits their constituents.They can also introduce their own private member's bill.
Asking Ministers questions on behalf of constituents is a very important representation tool. MLAs can ask Oral Questions in the Chamber during Question Time or following a ministerial statement. They can also send in written questions which will receive more detailed written answers.
Outside the Chamber, MLAs lobby ministers and officials for meetings. MLAs different parties will join informal All Party Groups. These are forums for MLAs to meet with external groups who have a shared interest in a particular cause or subject.
Everyone in Northern Ireland has five MLAs in their constituency who represent them.
There are 18 constituencies in Northern Ireland.
- Belfast East
- Belfast North
- Belfast South
- Belfast West
- East Antrim
- East Londonderry
- Fermanagh and South Tyrone
- Foyle
- Lagan Valley
- Mid Ulster
- Newry and Armagh
- North Antrim
- North Down
- South Antrim
- South Down
- Strangford
- Upper Bann
- West Tyrone