The Northern Ireland Assembly Education Service Welcomes St Paul’s College

Parliament Buildings Home of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Northern Ireland Cabinet, Stormont Castle 1922

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 Unionist government Prorogued (suspended) in Northern Ireland came under Direct Rule from Westminster.

Prime Ministers of Northern Ireland Sir James Craig John Miller Andrews Sir Basil Brooke Terence O’Neill1963 – 1969 James Chichester-Clarke Brian Faulkner

Rise of Civil Rights (late 1960s)

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.

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

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)

The Northern Ireland Assembly The Northern Ireland Assembly was set up as a result of the ‘Belfast/Good Friday Agreement’ of May 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

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.

More about the Agreement

agriculture education environment health tourism transport

London gave powers to the Assembly

Areas in which the Assembly has the power to make decisions

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

Constituency Map

MLAs are members of Political Parties Total = 108 MLAs David McClarty MLA Independent as of 7 May

Northern Ireland Party Leaders DUPSFUUP SDLPAPNIGreen Party TUV Peter Robinson Tom Elliott Margaret Ritchie David Ford Steven Agnew Gerry Adams Jim Allister

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.

MondaySaturday TuesdaySunday WednesdayNotes Thursday Friday 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 MLA diary

First Ministerdeputy First Minister Mr Martin McGuinnessRt Hon Peter Robinson

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.

The Northern Ireland Assembly Debating Chamber

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

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