Engagement Newsletter
June 2025
Welcome to the June edition of the Assembly Engagement Newsletter. In this edition, we explain all about Question Time and direct you to how you can find out about, and participate in, important consultations. We also bring you some highlights from our time at the Balmoral Show, as well as information on how you can book a free workshop to learn more about the Assembly.
Did you know oral questions (aka Question Time) take place on Mondays and Tuesdays between 2.00pm – 3.30pm? Question Time is an opportunity for MLAs to question Executive Ministers on the work of their departments. Each Question Time has two slots for Ministers to answer questions. The First Minister and the deputy First Minister are up for oral questions every other week. All other Executive Ministers and the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (the body that manages the work of the Assembly), are allocated slots in alphabetical order (according to the departmental name).
Find Out More About Question Time
Did you know you can watch live coverage of Assembly debates and committee meetings on our live streaming channels?
NI Assembly TV provides information on what is being shown live each day. You can also watch archived videos of plenary, question time and committee meetings. Click the button below to find out more.
Members' Bills
Most of the primary legislation that passes through the Assembly is brought by Executive Ministers. These are known as Executive Bills. Bills can also be introduced by individual MLAs/Members, an Assembly Committee, or the Assembly Commission. These are known as Members' Bills or Non-Executive Bills.
Members' Bills offer individual MLAs the chance to introduce legislation independently from Executive departments and follow the same scrutiny process as Executive Bills.
There are four Members’ Bills currently seeking public consultation. Get involved and have your say on issues that matter to you.
Call for Evidence
The Assembly and Executive Review Committee (AERC) is currently undertaking three reviews and is seeking views from the public on each of these.
- The Review of Institutional Reform,
- The Review of Assembly Committee engagement on cross-cutting Executive strategies, and
- The Review into the development of a formal process and guidance on the handling of Westminster Statutory Instruments that include a role for the NIA
To find out more or take part in these surveys, please click here.
Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in Morthern Ireland
A new bill to establish a Statutory Public Inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Workhouses was introduced to the Assembly on 16 June. The bill also requires the creation of a Redress Service, which will manage a formal financial compensation scheme for those affected.
The second stage of the bill process took place on 24 June, during which MLAs debated the principles of the bill. You can watch the debate here
Next is the Committee stage, during which the Executive Office Committee will review the bill in detail. This stage includes public consultation and gathering evidence from people with lived experience and others affected by the bill. During this stage, the Committee will launch a public survey in early July, giving you the opportunity to have your say on the bill’s content.
The Committee will also hold a number of Familiarisation Sessions to help stakeholders understand the legislative process of the bill, and in particular the Committee Stage. These sessions will take place:
- Monday 7 July in Parliament Buildings
- Tuesday 9 September in Wave Trauma Centre
- Thursday 11 September online/virtual.
If you would like to attend, or for more information, please email cteotrconsultation@niassembly.gov.uk
Stay updated by visiting the Committee’s webpage or following them on X (formerly Twitter) for the latest information and ways to get involved.
For more information on how laws are made, click here.
2025 Balmoral Show
From Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 May, the Northern Ireland Assembly went on the road – giving visitors to the Balmoral Show an opportunity to sample ‘life on the hill’. The public were invited to drop into the Assembly’s marquee to find out more about what happens behind the scenes at Parliament Buildings and how members of the public can have their say on key issues.
Assembly Commission staff, who are usually based at Parliament Buildings, held a series of workshops welcoming everyone to come along to find more about what the Assembly is, how it works and how you can get involved.
With the weather on our side, we were delighted by the wave of positivity we received from farmers, families, local businesses, charities, and community groups. One of the standout achievements was the number of people we were able to engage with — many of whom left our stand knowing more about our work than they did before.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Edwin Poots MLA officially opened the marquee with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday morning. He said: “The Balmoral Show is a must-do date in the calendar for people from all over Northern Ireland – whether or not they have a farming background or connection. It gives the Assembly and its Committees a real opportunity to engage with the rural community - one of Northern Ireland’s most important constituencies."
On Wednesday afternoon, the Assembly’s Finance Committee held an information session on its Inquiry into banking services and surveyed a number of visitors.
On Thursday 15 May the Assembly’s Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs took its weekly meeting to the Balmoral Show where it heard from the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster who focused on the issues and challenges faced by young farmers throughout Northern Ireland. Speaking after Thursday’s visit, the Committee Chairperson Robbie Butler MLA said: “We were delighted to take our meeting to the Balmoral Show this week and to hear directly from young farmers on the very particular issues they face in the midst of an increasingly changing and challenging agricultural landscape."
Youth Assembly Members were delighted to take part in the Balmoral Show on Saturday 17 May. They met with the public, spoke about their work, and highlighted the upcoming opportunity for young people to apply to be members of the Youth Assembly in its next mandate. Youth Assembly Members also hosted a roundtable event with the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Edwin Poots MLA. They asked about the role of the Speaker, what inspired him to get into politics, and why young people need to get involved in politics. You can find out more about the work of the Youth Assembly and how to apply here.
With planning already started for next years show, if you are attending please drop in for chat - we'll be beside the cattle ring!
Assembly Explained Workshops
The Participation and Outreach Team is continuing to deliver workshops both in Parliament Buildings and in venues across Northern Ireland. The Team was delighted to connect with a range of community and voluntary groups , including Unite the Union, Theatre and Dance NI, Newry Street Unite, Creggan Neighbourhood Renewal, and Fermanagh Sports and Cultural Association.
The workshops last around two hours and give a short overview on what the Assembly is, how it works, and how to have your voice heard. The workshops also include an interactive demo of the NI Assembly website.
The sessions are suitable for everyone and are tailored to each group. No prior knowledge of the Assembly is required. The workshops can be delivered in Parliament Buildings, online, or as an outreach session in your community.
To book, or to find out more, please click the link below.
Get in Touch
To find out more about the work of the NI Assembly Participation & Outreach Team please email engagement@niassembly.gov.uk
