Engagement Newsletter
September 2025
Welcome to the September edition of the Assembly Engagement Newsletter. Official Assembly Business resumed on Monday 8th September and there are lots of opportunities for you to get involved. In this edition, we have details on our European Heritage Open Day and direct you to how you can find out about, and participate in, important consultations and surveys.
Want to get to grips with key Assembly terms and concepts? Our handy Assembly Glossary has everything you need – all in one place.
Click here to explore it now.
Members' Bills
Most primary legislation that passes through the Assembly is brought forward by the Minister of an Executive Department, however bills can also be introduced by an individual Member. When this happens, the Member will seek the views of the public to help shape their proposal. Current consultations include:
- Danny Donnelly MLA is consulting on a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill
- Órlaithí Flynn MLA is consulting on a Suicide Prevention Training Bill
- Nuala McAllister MLA is consulting on Private Cemetery Status (Burial Protection) Bill
- Cara Hunter MLA is consulting on a Victims of Sexual Crimes Trauma Mitigation Bill
- Deborah Erskine MLA is consulting on an Unadopted Developments Bill
- Diane Forsythe MLA is consulting on a Women and Girls in Sport in Northern Ireland Bill
- Paul Frew MLA is consulting on a Duty of Candour in Healthcare Settings Bill
- Linda Dillon MLA is consulting on a Breastfeeding Bill
You can find out more and respond via our Non-Executive Bill Proposals page.
Call for Evidence
As part of their regular scrutiny duties, Committees may ask stakeholders and members of the public for their views on a particular subject or piece of legislation.
This is a chance for you to have your say and help Committees with their work.
There are a range of current calls for evidence, including the following:
- The Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs would like to hear your views on the Dilapidation Bill (deadline for responses 10 October 2025)
- The Committee for Health would like to hear your views on the Adult Protection Bill (deadline for responses is Friday 26 September 2025)
- Assembly and Executive Review Committee would like to hear your views on Assembly Committee engagement on cross-cutting Executive strategies (deadline for responses is Tuesday 30 September 2025)
- Assembly and Executive Review Committee would like to hear your views on the development of a formal process and guidance on the handling of Westminster Statutory Instruments (deadline for responses is Tuesday 30 September 2025
To view all opportunities to get involved, visit the Northern Ireland Assembly Citizen Space hub here.
Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in Morthern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for the Executive Office has begun its work on scrutinising the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill. The Bill will see the establishment of a formal Inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995. It will also set up a Redress Scheme for the victims and survivors of these institutions.
Hearing from those who will be directly affected by the Bill and the schemes it creates is key to the Committee’s work. The Committee wants to hear from as many people as possible. You can have your say using the online survey: Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill - Page 1 of 51 - Northern Ireland Assembly - Citizen Space
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.
European Heritage Open Day
European Heritage Open Days is an annual celebration of local architecture, history and culture. This year the European wide theme for 2025 is "Architectural Heritage: Past Structure, Future Connections".
Parliament Buildings is one of the best known and most striking pieces of architecture in Northern Ireland. The architect Sir Arnold Thornely, who was knighted by King George V in recognition of his architectural work, designed the building with perfect symmetry and symbolism The building is 365ft wide representing one foot for every day of the year and has six floors and six pillars at the entrance, one for each county in Northern Ireland.
This year, Parliament Buildings will be open to the public on Saturday 13th September. Parliament Buildings is not normally open to the public at weekends, so this is a fantastic opportunity to explore the building.
Tours start at 10am and run throughout the day. Slots are filling up fast so book yours here
Assembly Explained Workshops
The Participation and Outreach Team is continuing to deliver workshops to community and voluntary groups, both in Parliament Buildings and in venues 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 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.
Have Your Say
As the first month of the new plenary session draws to a close, several opportunities to take part are also nearing their deadline.
- The Committee for the Executive Office is seeking views from stakeholders on the objectives, proposals, and potential consequences of the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill. To take part click here. Closing date 29th September.
- The Assembly and Executive Review Committee (AERC) is seeking views from stakeholders on their experience of the existing arrangements for the handling of these particular Westminster Statutory Instruments and welcomes any suggestions for possible improvements to those arrangements. To take part click here. Closing date 30th September.
- The Assembly and Executive Review Committee (AERC) are also seeking views from stakeholders of Assembly Committee engagement on cross-cutting Executive strategies as well as your views and experience of scrutiny of cross-cutting legislation. To take part click here. Closing date 30th September.
- The Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) is seeking views from stakeholders on the objectives, proposals and potential consequences of the Dilapidation Bill which confer functions on district councils in connection with the dilapidation of buildings and other land. To take part click here. Closing date 10th October.
Join the Youth Assembly
Since it was formed in 2021, the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly has given more than 180 young people from across Northern Ireland, the opportunity to have their voices heard. Every two years, a new cohort of 90 young people in school years 9-12 are chosen to represent their peers, debate important issues, and put forward ideas that can really influence change.
Applications are now open for the third mandate and will close on 29th September.
Get in Touch
To find out more about the work of the NI Assembly Participation & Outreach Team please email engagement@niassembly.gov.uk
