Member of the Legislative Assembly (Northern Ireland) facts for kids
Members of the Legislative Assembly (often called MLAs) are the people chosen by voters to represent them in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Think of them as your local representatives who help make important decisions for Northern Ireland.
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What is an MLA?
The Northern Ireland Assembly has 90 elected members. Five MLAs are chosen from each of the 18 areas (called constituencies) across Northern Ireland. These areas are the same ones used for electing members to the UK Parliament in London.
The main job of MLAs is to look closely at what government departments are doing. They also make decisions on important issues and create new laws for Northern Ireland.
What Do MLAs Do?
MLAs are responsible for how the Northern Ireland Assembly works. They speak up for the people who elected them. They also discuss and vote on new laws that affect everyone living in Northern Ireland.
How Much Do MLAs Earn?
An MLA's basic yearly salary is £55,000. Some MLAs, like the Speaker (who leads the Assembly meetings), ministers (who run government departments), and committee chairs, get extra money on top of their basic salary because of their special roles.
A Look at History
Lawmakers Before MLAs
Before MLAs, Northern Ireland had different lawmakers. From 1921 to 1972, members of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland and Senators of the Senate of Northern Ireland made laws. They worked in the Parliament of Northern Ireland, much like MLAs do today.
The Start of the Northern Ireland Assembly
The current Northern Ireland Assembly and its government (called the Northern Ireland Executive) were set up after a special vote in 1998. This vote was about the Belfast Agreement. The idea was to give Northern Ireland more power to make its own laws and decisions, a process known as devolution. This meant that many decisions about Northern Ireland would be made in Northern Ireland, not just in London.
Fewer MLAs from 2017
In 2016, a new law was passed to reduce the number of MLAs. The number went down from 108 to 90. This change first happened in the special election held in March 2017.
Past Northern Ireland Assembly Elections
- Members elected in 2022
- Members elected in 2017
- Members elected in 2016
- Members elected in 2011
- Members elected in 2007
- Members elected in 2003
- Members elected in 1998
- Members elected in 1982
- Members elected in 1973
See also
