Engagement Newsletter
March 2026
Welcome to the March edition of the Assembly Engagement Newsletter!
As we move into brighter days, this issue shines a light on recent Committee work, including the Sign Language Bill Committee Report and highlights opportunities for you to get involved in the consideration of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Regulations and the Inquiry into NI Civil Service performance. Plus, find out more about the roles of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers.
Who is the Speaker?
Edwin Poots MLA was elected as the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly on 3 February 2024. As Speaker, he chairs plenary sessions of the Assembly, calling Members to speak on debates, maintaining order in the Chamber and replying to areas of dispute raised by Members. As Speaker, he is politically impartial and does not participate in any debates in the Assembly. In this work he is assisted by Deputy Speakers Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Fein), John Blair (Alliance) and Dr Steve Aiken OBE (UUP) (pictured above).
He also performs an important representational role which includes: receiving visitors to the Assembly, such as Heads of State, Ambassadors and senior political figures; attending external events to promote the work of the Northern Ireland Assembly, such as officially opening the Assembly marquee at the Balmoral Show; and hosting events at Parliament Buildings.
Legislation
The Assembly has the power to make laws for Northern Ireland. A proposal for legislation is referred to as a “Bill” until it is passed by the Assembly and given Royal Assent. At this stage it becomes an Act of the NI Assembly. Ministers, Committees and individual Members can propose to introduce a Bill to the Assembly. If the Speaker believes that the proposals are within the Assembly’s competence, the Bill is introduced and debated by MLAs.
You can see a list of Bills introduced in the current mandate and what stage they are at here.
Committee Reports
Committees are groups of MLAs who look at specific subjects such as health, education, justice and more. Committee members come from different political parties.
They hold inquiries, scrutinise legislation, and hear the views of people to help with their inquiries and recommendations.
The Sign Language Bill was introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 10 February 2025.
The Committee Stage for the Bill concluded on 12 February 2026 and the Committee report on the Bill and other further information is available below.
Special Educational Needs (SEN) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
The Committee for Education has been asked to consider the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 provided by the Department of Education.
The Committee is seeking your views on the changes, which include:
- New duties for boards of governors, such as appointing a learning support coordinator and preparing a personal learning plan for every pupil on the SEN register.
- Shorter timescales for statutory assessment reduced to 22 weeks, with a maximum of 34 weeks where exceptions apply.
- Changes to annual reviews, with meetings taking place at key stages and transition points rather than every year.
- New appeal rights and a clearer mediation process for families.
The online survey closes on Friday 27th March. Find out how you can get involved
Inquiry into the Performance and Culture of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Call for Evidence
Since it was established in February 2024, the Committee for Finance (pictured above) has considered a wide range of information and data with respect to the NI Civil Service. The Committee has engaged with the Department on this information and data, to allow the Committee to make suggestions as to how the NICS might improve its performance and support the evolution of its culture.
The Committee agreed to undertake this inquiry at its Strategic Planning Session on 22nd October 2025, prompted by ongoing concerns about the performance and culture of the NICS. The Committee’s primary focus is on “People”, recognising that a modern, agile, and inclusive civil service is essential for the delivery of high-quality public services.
The Committee’s concerns include the current structures of the NICS, the capacity and capability of the NICS, the challenges of recruitment and retention, the reasons for high levels of sick absence and the extensive use of temporary promotion, the high number of vacant posts across the NICS, the impact of outdated or inconsistent HR practices and the need for a strategic approach to workforce planning and wellbeing.
You can find more information or share your views on the Inquiry here.
Assembly Explained Workshops
The Participation and Outreach Team continues to deliver workshops to community and voluntary groups across Northern Ireland.
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 free, suitable for everyone and are tailored to each group.
No prior knowledge of the Assembly is required.They can be delivered in Parliament Buildings, online, or as an outreach session in your community.
Our Outreach Officer, Janet Robinson, explains, "My role is all about connecting with communities, especially those that are often underrepresented, to make sure everyone has the chance to learn about and take part in the Assembly’s work. I deliver Assembly Explained workshops across Northern Ireland, bringing information directly to people in their own constituencies to make engagement as accessible and meaningful as possible. These sessions are designed to be interactive and informative, and the feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive. To date, I’ve delivered sessions in many of the 18 constituencies, and I’m committed to reaching them all. For me, this work goes beyond raising awareness - it’s about building genuine relationships, breaking down barriers, and helping people see the Assembly as a place that represents and belongs to everyone in Northern Ireland."
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
