NI Assembly Flashcards
legislation, scrutiny, representation
What is the role of the speaker?
Oversee proceedings in the Assembly, assess the competence of legislation, receive VIP visitors and keep order in the Assembly.
What are the three roles of the Assembly?
Legislative role
Scrutiny role
Representative role
Name three ways legislation can be introduced in the Assembly.
PMB
Executive Bill
Committee Bill
Which type of bill is the majority in the Assembly?
Executive Bill
What is the legislative role of MLAs?
Debate and vote on legislation
Revise and scrutinise legislation at committee stage
Propose PMBs
What is cross-community support?
A safeguard which makes sure that everyone feels part of the political system and that no discriminatory legislation is passed.
What two methods can be used for cross-community support?
Weighted majority
Parallel consent
What is a Petition of Concern?
A mechanism designed to prevent either community feeling dominated by the other. It needs the support of at least 30 MLAs.
An example of Petition of Concern being used.
Welfare reform
Marriage equality
Education Bill
What is a criticism of Petition of Concern?
It favours the bigger parties
What is meant by parity legislation?
Legislation that applies across the United Kingdom.
What are criticisms of the Assembly’s ability to perform as a legislative body?
Too much parity legislation
Not enough legislation overall
Executive dominance
Give three points that show the Assembly has been successful as a legislative body.
Any three from page 100 of textbook
Give three points that show the Assembly has been unsuccessful as a legislative body.
Any three from page 100 of textbook
What are the four main types of committees in the Assembly?
Statutory committees
Standing committees
Joint committees
Ad Hoc committees
What powers do statutory committees have?
Ability to scrutinise legislation line by line
Ability to scrutinise the actions of their minister
Ability to conduct inquiries
Ability to suggest change
Ability to hold reviews
What are three ways MLAs can scrutinise the Executive?
Questions for Oral Answer
Written Questions
Adjournment Debates
What are the criticisms of the scrutiny role of the Assembly?
Ministers can still ignore their committees
Lack of formal opposition
Which groups of people can MLAs represent?
Their party
Constituents
How can MLAs carry out their representative role?
Raising a constituency issue at Question Time, through written questions or adjournment debates.
Making sure constituency concerns are taken into account in new legislation.
Introducing PMBs.
All Party Groups.
Give one point that shows MLAs are effective representatives.
5 MLAs per constituency
Bigger parties have bigger constituency offices
More socially representative of electorate than British parliament.
