Northern Ireland Assembly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern Ireland AssemblyTionól Thuaisceart Éireann Norlin Airlan Assemblie |
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| Seventh Assembly | |
Logo of the Northern Ireland Assembly
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| History | |
| Founded | 25 June 1998 (current form) |
| Preceded by | Parliament of Northern Ireland (1921–1972) |
| Leadership | |
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Edwin Poots
Since 3 February 2024 |
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Matthew O'Toole, SDLP
Since 3 February 2024 |
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| Structure | |
| Seats | 90 |
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Political groups
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Executive (78)
Other Opposition (3) Speaker (1) |
| Committees |
Executive Office
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Communities Economy Education Finance Health Infrastructure Justice Assembly and Executive Review Audit Business Procedures Public Accounts Standards and Privileges |
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Length of term
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No more than 5 years |
| Salary | £55,000 per year + expenses |
| Elections | |
| Single transferable vote | |
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Last election
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5 May 2022 |
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Next election
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On or before 6 May 2027 |
| Redistricting | Recommendations made by the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland; confirmed by the Secretary of State |
| Meeting place | |
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| Assembly Chamber, Parliament Buildings | |
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| Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
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The Northern Ireland Assembly, often called Stormont, is the main law-making body for Northern Ireland. It's like a local parliament that makes its own laws for the region. It has the power to create laws on many topics. It also chooses the Northern Ireland Executive, which is like the government's team of ministers. The Assembly meets at Parliament Buildings in Stormont, Belfast.
The Assembly has 90 members, called MLAs. These members are chosen by the public in elections. They use a special voting system called Single Transferable Vote (STV). This system helps make sure that different groups and parties get a fair number of seats. The Assembly then picks most ministers for the Northern Ireland Executive. This is done using a "power-sharing" system. This system makes sure that the two largest groups in Northern Ireland, those who want to stay part of the UK (Unionists) and those who want to join Ireland (Nationalists), both have a say in running the region.
The Assembly was set up as part of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. This agreement aimed to end a long period of conflict in Northern Ireland, known as the Troubles. The first election for the Assembly happened in June 1998.
Contents
A Look Back at the Assembly
Earlier Attempts at Self-Rule
Before the current Assembly, Northern Ireland had other law-making bodies. From 1921 to 1972, there was the Parliament of Northern Ireland. It met at Stormont. This parliament mostly had one main party in charge. It was stopped by the UK Government in 1972.
After that, the UK Government directly made decisions for Northern Ireland. People tried to create new ways for power to be shared. In 1973, a new Assembly was set up. It had a power-sharing government. But this government only lasted a few months. Another Assembly was formed in 1982. Its job was to check what the government was doing. But it didn't have support from all groups and was closed down in 1986.
The Modern Assembly: How it Started
The current Northern Ireland Assembly was officially created in 1998. This was part of the Good Friday Agreement. The first members were elected in June 1998. The Assembly began its full work in December 1999.
However, the Assembly has had some breaks. It has been suspended several times. This means it stopped working for a period. These suspensions happened because of disagreements between the main political parties. For example, it was suspended from 2002 to 2007. This was due to arguments between the two main unionist parties and Sinn Féin. They disagreed about the Irish Republican Army (IRA) ending its activities.
Getting Back to Work
After many talks, the Assembly got back to work in May 2007. The two biggest parties, the DUP and Sinn Féin, agreed to work together. This was a big step for power-sharing.
The Assembly then completed its first full term. It gained more powers, including control over policing and justice in 2010. In 2016, a new rule allowed parties to form an "Official Opposition." This helps keep the government in check.
Recent Challenges and Restart
The Assembly faced another big challenge in 2017. A disagreement led to its suspension again. It stayed closed for three years. During this time, the UK Parliament made laws for Northern Ireland.
Finally, in January 2020, the Assembly started working again. This happened just before the UK left the European Union (Brexit). But in February 2022, the First Minister resigned. This caused another suspension.
After more talks and elections in May 2022, the Assembly was still suspended. This was because the DUP refused to help form a new government. They were protesting against the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Good news came on 3 February 2024! The DUP agreed to restore the government. A new Executive was formed. This brought back the devolved government in Northern Ireland.
What the Assembly Does
The Assembly has two main jobs. First, it makes laws for Northern Ireland. Second, it chooses the Northern Ireland Executive. The First Minister and deputy First Minister are chosen by the largest parties. Other ministers are chosen by parties based on how many seats they have.
The Assembly can make laws on "transferred matters." These are topics that are not kept by the UK Parliament. The UK Parliament keeps control over "excepted matters" forever. It also keeps "reserved matters" for now, but these could be given to the Assembly later.
Matters the Assembly Controls
The Assembly makes laws and decisions on many important areas. These are called "transferred matters." They include:
- Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
- Communities (like housing and social welfare)
- Economy (jobs, businesses)
- Education
- Finance (money for public services)
- Health
- Infrastructure (roads, transport)
- Justice (laws, courts, policing)
- The work of the First and deputy First Minister
Matters the UK Parliament Keeps
Some topics are kept by the UK Parliament. These are "reserved matters" and "excepted matters."
Reserved Matters (Could be Transferred Later)
- Shipping and air travel
- The seabed and its natural resources
- Postal services
- Trade rules
- Minimum wage
- Banking and money markets
- Inventions and creative works (intellectual property)
- Measuring systems
- Phones, TV, and internet
- The National Lottery
- Special medical procedures (like xenotransplantation, surrogacy, human fertilisation, embryology, genetics)
- Product safety
Excepted Matters (Always Kept by UK Parliament)
- The King or Queen (The Crown)
- The UK Parliament itself
- Relationships with other countries
- Military defence
- Who can enter and live in the country (Immigration and Nationality)
- Taxes
- National insurance (social security contributions)
- Elections to the UK Parliament
- Money (Currency)
- Keeping the country safe (National security)
- Nuclear energy
- Space activities
- Activities in Antarctica
When the Assembly is not working, the UK Government makes laws for Northern Ireland. Also, laws made by the Assembly can be checked by courts. They can be stopped if they break rules about human rights or fairness.
How the Assembly Works
The Assembly uses special rules to make sure different groups share power.
- Sharing Ministerial Roles: Ministers are chosen using a system called the D'Hondt method. This means parties get ministerial jobs based on how many seats they have. So, all parties with a good number of seats get to be part of the government.
- Cross-Community Votes: Some important decisions need "cross-community support." This means a majority of members from both main groups (Unionist and Nationalist) must agree. Every MLA says if they are Nationalist, Unionist, or "Other." This special vote is used for choosing the Speaker, the Justice Minister, and for changing Assembly rules.
- Petitions of Concern: If 30 or more MLAs from at least two parties sign a "petition of concern," a vote becomes a special "weighted majority" vote. This means 60% of all members must agree. Also, at least 40% of both Nationalist and Unionist members must agree. This rule helps protect each community from laws they feel are unfair.
The Assembly can also ask people for information or documents. Its discussions are protected by law, meaning members can speak freely without fear of being sued for defamation.
Who is in the Assembly?
The Assembly has 90 members, called MLAs. They are elected from 18 areas, with 5 MLAs from each area. Everyone aged 18 or over can vote. The elections happen every five years in May, unless the Assembly is dissolved early. The Assembly can vote to dissolve itself early if two-thirds of its members agree. It also dissolves if it can't choose a First Minister and deputy First Minister within six weeks.
How Members Identify Themselves
Each MLA chooses to be known as "Nationalist," "Unionist," or "Other." They can only change this choice once during an Assembly term. Some people, like the Alliance Party, think this system makes divisions stronger. They would prefer votes to be decided by a simple majority.
Changes Over Time
Since 1998, the way people vote has changed. At first, the more moderate parties, the UUP and SDLP, were the largest. But in 2003, the DUP and Sinn Féin became the biggest parties for Unionists and Nationalists. These two parties then had to work together to form the government.
Many different parties have had members in the Assembly. Besides the main parties, groups like the Alliance Party have grown in support. They have sometimes held important roles, like the Speaker or Justice Minister. Smaller parties like the Green Party in Northern Ireland and People Before Profit have also won seats.
The Assembly has seen many changes and challenges. But it continues to be the place where Northern Ireland's future is debated and decided.
Filling Empty Seats
If an MLA leaves their seat before an election, it's usually filled by "co-option." This means their political party chooses a new person to take their place. There can be special elections to fill seats, but this rarely happens.
How the Assembly is Organized
The Assembly has a Speaker who leads the meetings. There are also three deputy speakers. The Speaker makes sure debates run smoothly and rules are followed. The current Speaker is Edwin Poots.
The Assembly Commission manages the Assembly's money and staff. It also looks after the pay and pensions for the MLAs.
The Assembly has 9 committees that check on the work of different government departments. For example, there's a committee for Health and one for Education. There are also 6 other permanent committees. The leaders of these committees are chosen based on party strength. This helps ensure fairness.
Committees that Check Government Departments
These committees watch over the work of each government department:
- Executive Office Committee
- Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee
- Communities Committee
- Economy Committee
- Education Committee
- Finance Committee
- Health Committee
- Infrastructure Committee
- Justice Committee
Other Important Committees
These committees help the Assembly run smoothly:
- Assembly and Executive Review Committee
- Audit Committee
- Business Committee
- Procedures Committee
- Public Accounts Committee
- Standards and Privileges Committee
See also
- Member of the Legislative Assembly (Northern Ireland)
- List of political parties in Northern Ireland
- 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election
- Members of the 7th Northern Ireland Assembly
- Scottish Parliament
- Senedd
- Oireachtas
