Committees

What is a committee? A group of around 11 MLA’s who are given a particular focus in the assembly. What is a committees role? Legislate: Pass legislation and/or make amendments to existing legislation. Scrutinise: To hold the executive to account. Represent: To represent the views of the public. How is committee membership decided? They must ensure power sharing in Northern Ireland, this is achieved by using the D’Hondt system to select it’s committee members and create coalition committees that force partnerships and encourage mutual co-operation. What type of committees are there? Statutory committees Standing committees AD HOC committees Joint committees

These are set up to advise, assist and scrutinise. There are 12 statutory committees, one for each of the eleven government departments and the committee for the office of the first minister and the deputy first minister. Their roles are deliberately extensive, they have a legislative role, a scrutiny role and they have advisory and consultative roles. Key powers Consider and advise all their department’s budget and annual plans in the context of the overall budget; Consider secondary legislation and take the committee stage of primary legislation; Initiate inquiries and make reports; Consider matters brought out their attention b y ministers. Initiate legislation; and Call for persons and papers. If an individual who is summonsed refuses to attend, or refuses to produce the documents required by the committee, they may be found guilty of an offense and fined or imprisoined for up to three months.

Considering legislation Up to 76% of suggested amendments to proposed legislation was accepted by the assembly hence forth the committees are doing a good job the Taxi bill for example had all 72 amendments included demonstrating that the committee made for more effective legislation. Calling for persons or papers: Recession The credit crunch of 2008 saw loans to businesses rise with banks refusing to lend money and demanding back payments many businesses folded and many became bankrupt. MLA’s called in church men to share their experiences of the effects of hardships on the people of Northern Ireland. This raised concerns on the issue and forced MLAs to criticise local banks and urge them to loosen their credit facilities to help small businesses. Enquiries The health committee introduced a serious inquiry of the prevention of suicide and self harm as in Northern Ireland suicide is the biggest cause of death among young people, 65 written submissions, 14 evidence sessions and a produced report with 26 recommendation led to a more effective prevention of suicide.

The composition through D’Hondt forces parties to share views designed to foster cooperation and agreement. The Assembly has no effective opposition thus the committees perform this function. MLAs having two or more committee positions increases their effectiveness as a committee member. The calling for persons and papers gives MLAs a chance to make sure policy is effective. The power to initiate laws is far reaching and broad. Committees work well together to create effective policies and legislation. They bring the Assembly closer. They produce effective policies for varying communities e.g. Rathlin Ireland has a regular and modern ferry service. The committees highlight important issues such as suicide in communities. There has been a relatively good attempt at joint up scrutiny meaning some departments have to work collaboratively on common issues. Committees are designed to encourage partnerships and agreements although this can be argued as unsuccessful.

 Committees have a built in ambiguity to advise the Minister and hold them to account.  Multi-party composition doesn’t always inspire cooperation e.g. when DUP and Sinn Féin don’t talk.  It is sometimes not considered a real opposition because they do not have much power against the executive. Solo runs demonstrate this.  Committees are sometimes described as being overworked and therefore ineffective e.g. an MLA can be part of three committees which dilutes their experience.  The number of Executive departments has been queried as being too many but proposals to reduce this number lead to disagreements.  The Assembly lacked experience when it first started as did the MLAs.  MLAs don’t have time to regularly investigate issues.  Cross-community disagreements over policy may lead to tension and delay.  MLAs are sometimes also councillors and MPs, this can be ineffective.  The power to initiate legislation is rarely used because MLAs can complain too little time and legislation can require Assembly’s support.

 Standing committees have a dedicated role to do with the overall effective running of the Assembly and the Executive.  There are six current standing committees.  They are set up under the Assembly Standing Orders (Rules)  Their main role is concerned with the business and operation of the operation of the Assembly and Legislature.

 Unlike standing committees, these are temporary and are set up to deal with specific, time-constrained issues.  They are established to deal with specific issues.  These committees have 2 months to carry out their work and report back.  Ad Hoc committees can deal with any issue determined by the Assembly.

 Joint Committees have been set up in certain circumstances to deal with cross-departmental issues.  An example of a joint committee success is in 2010, the finance & trade committees formed a joint committee to investigate to investigation the relationship between small business and banks in Northern Ireland.