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History and Function of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Discover the rich history of the Northern Ireland Assembly, from its establishment in 1921 to its role in the present day. Explore the significance of key events like the Sunningdale Agreement and the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, shaping the Assembly's structure and function. Learn about the legislative process, key players, and the Assembly's impact on Northern Ireland's governance. Uncover how the Assembly operates, from the role of MLAs to the functions of the Executive Committee and the Speaker. Dive into the dynamic political landscape of Northern Ireland through the lens of its Assembly.

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History and Function of the Northern Ireland Assembly

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  1. The Northern Ireland Assembly Education Service WelcomesSt Paul’s College

  2. Parliament Buildings Home of the Northern Ireland Assembly

  3. Northern Ireland Cabinet, Stormont Castle 1922

  4. History of Parliament Buildings –The Northern Ireland Parliament • Established in 1921 under the Government of Ireland Act (1920) which created Northern Ireland. • Sat in Belfast City Hall and the Presbyterian Assembly’s College, Botanic Ave, before moving to Parliament Buildings in 1932. • Unionist government 1921-72. • Prorogued (suspended) in 1972. • Northern Ireland came under Direct Rule from Westminster.

  5. Prime Ministers of Northern Ireland 1921-1972 • Sir James Craig 1921-1940 • John Miller Andrews 1940-1943 • Sir Basil Brooke 1943-1963 • Terence O’Neill 1963 – 1969 • James Chichester-Clarke 1969-1971 • Brian Faulkner 1971-1972

  6. Rise of Civil Rights (late 1960s)

  7. Parliament Buildings 1972 to date • From 1972 to September 1998 used by the Civil Service with 2 exceptions • The 1973/74 Assembly with Power Sharing Executive (Sunningdale Agreement). • 1982 – 1986 Assembly set up under James Prior’s Rolling Devolution plan. • Since September 1998 – Parliament Buildings has been the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  8. Sunningdale Agreement 1973/1974 • Negotiated by the British and Irish Governments & by representatives from certain Parties (UUP,SDLP, Alliance) • Established new structures for government • Power-sharing between Nationalist & Unionist Parties • Power-sharing Executive & Council of Ireland

  9. Key Players in Sunningdale • Prime Minister Edward Heath (GB) • Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave (ROI) • Secretary of State: Whitelaw/Pym/Rees • Brain Faulkner • James Craig • Ian Paisley (DUP) • Gerry Fitt (SDLP)

  10. The Northern Ireland Assembly • The Northern Ireland Assembly was set up as a result of the ‘Belfast/Good Friday Agreement’ of 1998. • May 1998 - In a vote, 71% support the Agreement. • In a referendum in the ROI, 94.4% voted to change Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution. • First election – June 1998 • Suspended from Oct 2002 to 8 May 2007

  11. The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement • Strand One • The democratic institutions in Northern Ireland • Strand Two • North-South institutions (including a North/South Ministerial Council) to encourage co-operation between NI and ROI in areas such as agriculture, health, education and tourism. • Strand Three • East-West institutions to encourage co-operation between people of Ireland and Great Britain.

  12. More about the Agreement

  13. agriculture education environment health tourism transport

  14. London gave powers to the Assembly

  15. Areas in which the Assembly has the power to make decisions

  16. Westminster decides about … International Relations Defence Income tax Space Exploration Nuclear Power Excepted Matters

  17. Constituency Map 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

  18. MLAs are members of Political Parties 38 29 16 14 1 8 1 Total = 108 MLAs David McClarty MLA Independent as of 7 May 2011

  19. Northern Ireland Party Leaders Tom Elliott Peter Robinson Gerry Adams David Ford Margaret Ritchie Steven Agnew Jim Allister

  20. Who works in the Assembly? • MLAs. • Members of the Legislative Assembly. • MLAs are people who have been elected by those living in an area or constituency to be their voice in the Assembly. • There are 108 MLAs. • Elections are held every 4 years with 18 constituencies electing 6 MLAs each.

  21. MLA diary 12pm - Plenary Session Assembly Chamber 10.30am - Plenary Session Assembly Chamber 10am - Committee meeting Room 30 11am - Committee meeting Senate Chamber Constituency Office – constituents surgery

  22. First Minister deputy First Minister Rt Hon Peter Robinson Mr Martin McGuinness

  23. The Executive Committee

  24. The Executive Committee • A small group of MLAs called Ministers who take charge of particular areas, eg health or education. • 10 Departmental Ministers – from 4 parties • Appointed using a mathematical formula, called d’Hondt, based on the number of seats parties have in the Assembly. • Agrees the Budget and Programme for Government – to be approved by the Assembly. • The Executive Committee is headed by a First Minister and deputy First Minister, who have equal powers.

  25. The Northern Ireland Assembly Debating Chamber

  26. The Speaker • The Speaker chairs the plenary meetings of the Assembly. • Makes sure that rules are followed and keeps ‘Order!’ in the Chamber. • The Speaker’s ruling is final in all disputes. • The Speaker cannot vote. • There are 3 Deputy Speakers. Mr William Hay MLA

  27. Making decisions for Northern Ireland The European Parliament International Government The UK Parliament National Government The Northern Ireland Assembly Regional Government City/District Councils Local Government

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