NI Assembly

Question 1

What is the role of the speaker?

Answer 1

Oversee proceedings in the Assembly, assess the competence of legislation, receive VIP visitors and keep order in the Assembly.

Question 2

What are the three roles of the Assembly?

Answer 2

Legislative role
Scrutiny role
Representative role

Question 3

Name three ways legislation can be introduced in the Assembly.

Answer 3

PMB
Executive Bill
Committee Bill

Question 4

Which type of bill is the majority in the Assembly?

Answer 4

Executive Bill

Question 5

What is the legislative role of MLAs?

Answer 5

Debate and vote on legislation
Revise and scrutinise legislation at committee stage
Propose PMBs

Question 6

What is cross-community support?

Answer 6

A safeguard which makes sure that everyone feels part of the political system and that no discriminatory legislation is passed.

Question 7

What two methods can be used for cross-community support?

Answer 7

Weighted majority
Parallel consent

Question 8

What is a Petition of Concern?

Answer 8

A mechanism designed to prevent either community feeling dominated by the other. It needs the support of at least 30 MLAs.

Question 9

An example of Petition of Concern being used.

Answer 9

Welfare reform
Marriage equality
Education Bill

Question 10

What is a criticism of Petition of Concern?

Answer 10

It favours the bigger parties

Question 11

What is meant by parity legislation?

Answer 11

Legislation that applies across the United Kingdom.

Question 12

What are criticisms of the Assembly’s ability to perform as a legislative body?

Answer 12

Too much parity legislation
Not enough legislation overall
Executive dominance

Question 13

Give three points that show the Assembly has been successful as a legislative body.

Answer 13

Any three from page 100 of textbook

Question 14

Give three points that show the Assembly has been unsuccessful as a legislative body.

Answer 14

Any three from page 100 of textbook

Question 15

What are the four main types of committees in the Assembly?

Answer 15

Statutory committees
Standing committees
Joint committees
Ad Hoc committees

Question 16

What powers do statutory committees have?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What are three ways MLAs can scrutinise the Executive?

Answer 17

Questions for Oral Answer
Written Questions
Adjournment Debates

Question 18

What are the criticisms of the scrutiny role of the Assembly?

Answer 18

Ministers can still ignore their committees
Lack of formal opposition

Question 19

Which groups of people can MLAs represent?

Answer 19

Their party
Constituents

Question 20

How can MLAs carry out their representative role?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Give one point that shows MLAs are effective representatives.

Answer 21

5 MLAs per constituency
Bigger parties have bigger constituency offices
More socially representative of electorate than British parliament.