Northern Ireland assembly and Executive

Question 1

what is the role of the speaker in the Northern Ireland assembly

Answer 1

• chooses who speaks and cant be challenged on their decision
• judges competence of legislation before first reading
• ambassadorial role accepting visitors to the assembly

Question 2

how do questions work in the NI assembly

Answer 2

• purpose of questions is to ask for information or press action in assembly
• members may table 5 questions for written answer each day priority answers answered in 2-5 days non priority have to be answered within 10 days
• oral questions selected through computer on Tuesday and tabled on Thursday QT acts as important symbolic scrutiny
• Business committee creates a Rota of which minister answers questions usually alphabetical from Agri to Justice
• question must fall under ministers remit

Question 3

what are the functions of the executive committee

Answer 3

• primary role is to set agenda and develop policy while taking responsibility for day to day government of the state
  1. Ensure smooth running of devolved areas and keeping in line with rest of UK
  2. Produce and agree on programme for government
  3. produce and agree on a budget in line with ‘block grant’
  4. agree proposals for new legislation from ministers i.e. executive bills

Question 4

what is the role of the executive office

Answer 4

• ability to appoint a minister in their place
• set the agenda
• additional support e.g. Junior ministers and civil servants

Question 5

why do some believe the executive office is unfair

Answer 5

• argument that they have too much power
• increases power of FM/dFM by allowing access to research and legal advice while preparing statistical reports
• Dependent on ability for FM and dFM to work together such as Paisley McGuiness or Robinson McGuiness while Foster McGuiness didn’t work out as well

Question 6

what are the powers of the FM/dFM in the executive office

Answer 6

• agenda setting
• deciding number of ministers in EC
• deciding if referrals to EC are valid
• casting votes on decisions outside normal EC meetings
• leaders of two largest powers
• drawing up programme for government
• media focus
• overseas negotiations e.g. McGuiness and Robinson to Brazil or Washington every st Patricks day where they got EY accounting yo give high quality jobs in Belfast

Question 7

what are the limitations of the executive

Answer 7

• dont dominate their cabinet near as much as UK PM does
• mandatory coalition stops this and limits overall power
• lack of collective responsibility
• FM/dFM don’t decide who is in EC and can’t remove them
• e.g. Sinn Féin and DUP both disliked WRB but DUP believed it was needed so Sinn Féin allowed it to pass but didn’t implement it until Fresh start agreement put welfare under UK control