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Glossary of terms
Terms are defined as they apply to the Northern Ireland Assembly
Law. When a Bill is passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly and given Royal Assent, it becomes an Act. |
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Temporary Committees set up from time to time to look at specific issues, eg, flags, life sentences, proceeds of crime and criminal justice reform. They usually deal with reserved matters about which the Secretary of State wishes to consult the Assembly. |
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The ‘Belfast Agreement’ or ‘Good Friday Agreement’ was signed on 10 April 1998 by the British and Irish Governments. The majority of political parties in Northern Ireland supported the Agreement, which was the culmination of a ‘peace process’ designed to address the issues that had given rise to conflict in Northern Ireland over the previous 30 years. After the Agreement was endorsed by a majority of the electorate in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive Committee were established, together with ‘North-South’ and ‘East West’ institutions. See North/South Ministerial Council, North/South Implementation Bodies, British-Irish Council and British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. See also St Andrews Agreement. |
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Where the Assembly meets to conduct its business in Plenary session. Located in Parliament Buildings. |
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The body corporate of the Northern Ireland Assembly, which ensures that the Assembly is provided with the property, staff and services required to carry out its work. It is chaired by the Speaker and there are 5 other members, all MLAs. |
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The name given to a proposed new law as it passes through the various stages of consideration by the Assembly. If it is passed by the Assembly and receives Royal Assent, it becomes an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly. There are two general categories of Bill: Public and Private. Most Bills are Public Bills that deal with matters of general public interest. The majority of Public Bills are introduced by Ministers (Executive Bills). However, they can also be introduced by an individual MLA (Private Member’s Bill), or a member of a Committee on behalf of the Committee (Committee Bill). A Private Bill seeks to change the law in relation to how it affects an individual or a company rather than the general public. |
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Established by the Agreement to promote positive and practical relationships among its members, who are representatives of the British and Irish Governments, and of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It is a forum for the exchange of information and discussion and development of policies for co-operation on matters of mutual interest, including drugs, the environment and transport. |
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Established by the Agreement, the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference replaces similar bodies set up as part of the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement. Members of the British and Irish Governments meet together to promote ‘East-West’ co-operation on matters of mutual interest, particularly in relation to non-devolved Northern Ireland matters, eg criminal justice, security, prisons and policing. Locally elected Northern Ireland Ministers attend meetings when Northern Ireland matters are being discussed. The Conference does not discuss matters that have been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly. |
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Annual financial statement that includes an estimate of Government income and planned expenditure. In Northern Ireland, this is the responsibility of the Minister of Finance and Personnel. |
Established by the Agreement, the Civic Forum is a consultative body comprising 60 representatives from the business, trade union, voluntary and other sectors in Northern Ireland and a chairperson appointed by the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. It may be consulted by the First Minister and deputy First Minister on social, economic and cultural matters. |
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Permanent administrative staff (civil servants) who work in Executive/Government Departments and implement the policies of the Government. |
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People who work for the Assembly, organising business for plenary sessions and Committees and guiding MLAs on the rules of the Assembly. |
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Set of rules to be followed by MLAs. MLAs must not use their positions as MLAs to benefit any individual or group in return for payment or other gift, and they must declare any interests held outside the Assembly. See Register of Members’ Interests. |
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Groups of MLAs appointed to carry out specific functions. There are 3 types of committee in the Northern Ireland Assembly – Statutory Committees, Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees. |
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A geographical area (electoral district) of Northern Ireland that elects 6 MLAs to the Northern Ireland Assembly and 1 Member of Parliament to Westminster. There are 18 constituencies in Northern Ireland. |
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Certain decisions made by the Northern Ireland Assembly cannot be carried by a simple majority, eg, the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers, changes to Standing Orders, exclusion of a Minister from office and financial decisions. Special voting procedures are in place to ensure that such decisions have the support of both designated Unionists and designated Nationalists. They can be agreed by ‘parallel consent’ (the support of over 50% of all those voting, including over 50% of both designated Nationalists and designated Unionists) or ‘weighted majority’ (the support of 60% of those voting, including 40% of designated Unionists and 40% of designated Nationalists). A cross-community vote can also be triggered by a Petition of Concern. See Designation. |
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Formal discussion in the Assembly Chamber |
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Democracy |
This means ‘government by the people’. In today’s democratic societies, it is usually through elected representatives. The Government is accountable to the people and the people have the right to criticise it. There is freedom of speech and of the press. |
The 10 Government Departments (plus the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister) are responsible for implementing decisions made by the Assembly. Each Department is headed by a Minister from the Executive Committee who has full responsibility for the work of his/her Department. |
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The First Minister and deputy First Minister together chair meetings of the Executive Committee and have responsibility for the functions of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM). The First Minister is nominated from the largest party in the Assembly and the deputy First Minister is nominated from the largest party in the other designation, ie nationalist or unionist. |
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After elections to the Assembly, MLAs sign the Roll of Membership and enter a designation of identity – ‘Nationalist’, ‘Unionist’ or ‘Other’. This is to allow for cross-community voting on decisions that require the support of both Unionists and Nationalists. See Cross Community Support. |
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The transfer of certain powers from a central Government to a regional government, allowing decisions to be made at a level closer to the point at which they will have impact. In the UK, power has been devolved by the UK Parliament at Westminster to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament. Power was first devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly at midnight 1st December 1999. |
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See Transferred Matters. |
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The governance of Northern Ireland directly from Westminster through a Secretary of State assisted by several Ministers. Direct Rule began in March 1972 and, despite attempts to re-establish devolution, continued until December 1999 when power was first devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly. At times when the Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended, Direct Rule was reinstated. |
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A system used to allocate ministerial positions and for the appointment of Committee Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons. Based on the number of seats held by parties on the first day the Assembly meets after the election, it ensures proportional allocation of these positions of power in the Assembly. |
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The official term for the adjournment of the Assembly, pending elections to a new Assembly. |
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A recorded vote in the Assembly Chamber. When there is no clear result from a ‘voice vote’ or the decision given by the Speaker is challenged, the Speaker may order the House to divide, "ayes" to his or her right and "noes" to his or her left. This allows votes to be counted in the Division Lobbies beside the Chamber. See Voting. |
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The corridors on either side of the Assembly Chamber where votes are counted when a division takes place. |
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Matters that have not been transferred to the Assembly and will remain the responsibility of the UK Parliament. They are usually matters of national importance, eg, foreign affairs, defence and taxation. See reserved matters and transferred matters. |
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The Executive Committee is the ‘Cabinet’ or ‘Government’ of Northern Ireland which is appointed from the Assembly. It introduces new laws and oversees their implementation. It prioritises Government proposals and plans, producing an annual Programme for Government and Budget, to be agreed by the Assembly. The Executive Committee consists of the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister and 10 Ministers appointed to take responsibility for Departments. |
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The First Minister and the Deputy First Minister together chair meetings of the Executive Committee and share responsibility for the functions of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM). The largest party in the Assembly nominates the First Minister. |
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In Northern Ireland’s devolved institutions, the term ‘Government’ refers to those elected representatives in charge of running Northern Ireland, ie, the Executive Committee. On a UK level, ‘Government’ refers to the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Westminster. |
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See Official Report. |
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MLAs who assist departmental Ministers in their work. There are 2 Junior Ministers attached to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. |
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Rules stating what can and cannot be done in a country. In Northern Ireland, they are made by the Assembly (transferred matters) and by the UK Parliament at Westminster (reserved and excepted matters). |
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Law or set of laws |
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Legislative Assembly/ |
Group of elected representatives with the power to pass laws. |
The attempt by an individual or group to influence those in power to make decisions that will be in their interest. |
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Member of the Legislative Assembly. There are 108 MLAs elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. |
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Ministers are the heads of Departments who, together with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, make up the Executive Committee. They are responsible for the formulation of policy in a particular area, eg, agriculture, health or education, and Ministers and their Departments are accountable to the Assembly in the carrying out of their Executive functions. Ministers are appointed using the d’Hondt formula, which is based on the number of seats held by the political parties represented in the Assembly. See Executive Committee. |
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A set of rules that must be followed by all Ministers in the exercise of their duties and responsibilities. The Code requires Ministers to adhere to a Pledge of Office, a Ministerial Code of Conduct and the Seven Principles of Public Life. For further details, go to www.northernireland.gov.uk. |
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Statement made by a Minister to the Assembly, usually to announce a new policy initiative, but may also be about a North/South Ministerial Council meeting or current issue. |
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A statement for debate in the Assembly Chamber, usually calling for action. |
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The devolved government of Northern Ireland, made up of 108 elected MLAs. It was established following the signing of the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement and has full legislative authority in relation to transferred matters. (ie, the power to make laws about local matters) An Executive Committee is appointed from the Assembly to exercise executive functions. See Devolution. |
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A department of the UK Government that serves the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. When power is devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Secretary of State retains responsibility for reserved and excepted matters. Under Direct Rule, the Secretary of State and Northern Ireland Office Ministers had responsibility for Government Departments in Northern Ireland. |
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Established by the Agreement, the Council is a forum for Ministers from Northern Ireland and the Irish Government to consult and co-operate on an all-Ireland basis on matters of mutual interest, eg agriculture, and transport. Six North/South Implementation Bodies have been set up under the NSMC to implement agreed policies. |
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Six North/South Implementation Bodies were established by the Agreement to implement policies agreed by Ministers in the North/South Ministerial Council and to develop cross-border co-operation on practical matters of mutual concern. The 6 bodies are: Waterways Ireland; The Food Safety Promotion Board; InterTradeIreland; The Special EU Programmes Body; The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission; and The Language Body, composed of Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch. |
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Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) |
Department of Government, headed by the First Minister and the deputy First Minister. OFMDFM has a wide range of responsibilities including economic policy, NSMC, international relations, children and young people, and the Civic Forum. It also has overall responsibility for the Programme for Government. |
The official record of what is said in the Assembly each day and of all decisions made by the Assembly. It also records written answers to Assembly questions and reports specific Committee meetings. Also known as Hansard after Thomas Hansard who began publishing a daily record of proceedings in the House of Commons in the early 19th Century. |
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Questions put by MLAs that require a Minister to give an oral answer during Assembly Question Time. |
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Under Direct Rule, most legislation for Northern Ireland went through Westminster as Orders in Council, a form of subordinate legislation in the UK context, but equivalent to primary legislation in Northern Ireland. |
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The UK Parliament at Westminster. Northern Ireland elects 18 Members of Parliament (MPs). The UK Parliament legislates for Northern Ireland in respect of reserved and excepted matters. |
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A notice signed by at least 30 MLAs, and presented to the Speaker, expressing concern about a matter, usually in respect of a motion before the Assembly. A vote on this matter will be postponed and require cross-community support. |
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Meeting of the Assembly in the Assembly Chamber, open to the public. Plenary sessions are usually held on Mondays and Tuesdays. |
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A group of people with the same views about how a country/region should be run. Political parties seek to get members elected so that they will have the power to influence decisions and laws. |
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Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly (or the Westminster Parliament) which set out the framework of the law (Parent legislation). Subordinate legislation, known as Statutory Rules in Northern Ireland, contains the details. See Orders in Council. |
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Questions for oral answer submitted by MLAs at short notice. They must be, in the opinion of the Speaker, of an urgent and important nature. Ministers must be given at least 4 hours’ notice. |
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Outlines the Executive Committee’s priorities and plan of action and incorporates a Budget. The PfG must be passed by the Assembly and a vote on the Budget requires cross-community support. |
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An electoral system (there are several types) in which the number of seats won corresponds closely with the proportion of total votes cast for each party. For example, in a perfectly proportional system, a party gaining 30% of the votes in an election will win 30% of the seats. See Single Transferable Vote. |
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See Question Time, Oral Questions, Written Questions and Private Notice Questions. |
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The time set aside each week (usually 2.30 to 4.00pm on Mondays) for MLAs to question Ministers about the work of their Departments. These questions asked in the Assembly Chamber are known as Oral Questions. Three Ministers are questioned each week on a rota basis and questions are randomly selected by computer. Questions selected but not answered orally during the time allowed will receive a written answer from the Minister. See Written Questions. |
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Procedure by which the Assembly may refer a Ministerial decision to the Executive Committee for consideration. Thirty Members must petition the Assembly, expressing concern that the decision contravenes the Ministerial Code or is a matter of public importance which needs to be considered by the Executive as a whole. The First Minister and Deputy First Minister, acting jointly, can also determine that a significant or controversial matter be dealt with by the Executive Committee, rather than by an individual Minister. |
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MLAs must declare any interests held outside the Assembly (eg, jobs, consultancy work, membership of organisations and gifts) that might affect their behaviour in the Assembly. See Code of Conduct. |
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Refers to representative democracy, which entails people voting to elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. For example, the people of Northern Ireland elect MLAs to represent them in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Members of Parliament (MPs) to the UK Parliament at Westminster and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to the European Parliament. |
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Areas in which the power to make laws has not been transferred from the UK Parliament to the Assembly but which will be transferred in future, eg, policing and prisons. Bills may include references to reserved matters only with the Secretary of State’s consent. See excepted matters and transferred matters. |
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Last stage of the legislative process. When a Bill has been passed in the Assembly, it must get Royal Assent, ie, approval by the Monarch, before it becomes law (an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly). |
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A senior Minister of the UK Government who is in charge of the Northern Ireland Office and represents Northern Ireland’s interests in the UK Cabinet. The Secretary of State is responsible for reserved and excepted matters. |
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This is the proportional voting system used to elect MLAs to the Northern Ireland Assembly. In a multi-member constituency, the voter ranks candidates in order of preference with 1 being their 1st choice. A candidate is elected once his or her votes reach a set quota (target). His or her votes are then redistributed according to second preferences, a formula being used to reduce the value of each vote transferred. If there are still seats unfilled, candidates with the least number of votes are eliminated and their votes transferred to second preference candidates. The process continues until all 6 seats are filled. This system allows voters to choose between candidates of the same party as well as between those of different parties. See Proportional Representation. |
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The Presiding Officer of the Assembly. The Speaker is elected by the Assembly on a cross community basis, to preside over (chair) plenary meetings of the Assembly and make sure that the rules regarding the operation of the Assembly are followed at all times. The Speaker has a role in determining whether Bills are within the legislative competence of the Assembly (deal with devolved matters and comply with human rights and equality legislation). He chairs the Business Committee, which schedules plenary business and recommends membership of Committees. He also has a role in the selection of questions and decides whether Private Notice Questions will be allowed. The Speaker usually maintains a politically neutral stance and has no vote on any matter in the Assembly Chamber. See Cross-community Support. |
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The St Andrews Agreement, reached on 13 October 2006, was an agreement between the British and Irish Governments and political parties in Northern Ireland. It led to the establishment of the Transitional Assembly, to prepare for the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly (suspended since 14 October 2002). After the election of 7 March 2007, devolved powers were restored on 8 May 2007. See Devolution. |
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Permanent Committees of the Assembly (currently 6), mostly concerned with the running of the Assembly, eg Business Committee (arranges plenary business) and Committee on Procedures (reviews Standing Orders). |
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Rules governing the operation of the Assembly, agreed by MLAs. They are reviewed by the Committee on Procedures and any change to Standing Orders requires cross-community support. |
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There are currently 11 Statutory Committees (also known as Departmental Committees). Each Committee has a scrutiny, policy development and consultation role in relation to its corresponding Department, and may initiate legislation. There are 11 MLAs on each Committee. Membership broadly reflects the strength of parties in the Assembly, and Chairs and Deputy Chairs are appointed using the d’Hondt system. |
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The detailed rules and procedures of law made by a Minister under powers deriving from a "parent" Act (Primary Legislation, which outlines the framework of the law). In the Westminster Parliament, they are commonly known as Statutory Instruments and, in Northern Ireland, Statutory Rules. Amending subordinate legislation allows for changes in the law to be made quickly without the elaborate procedures involved in Primary Legislation. E.g. Annual fee changes; road closure for a period of maintenance. |
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This refers to the suspension of devolution - the removal of transferred/devolved powers from the Northern Ireland Assembly and the restoration of Direct Rule. Since power was devolved to Northern Ireland in 1999, the Assembly has been suspended a number of times. During suspension the Secretary of State assumed responsibility for the direction of the Northern Ireland Departments. See Devolution. |
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Matters on which the Northern Ireland Assembly has been given power, under devolution, to make decisions/laws. Also known as devolved matters. See excepted matters and reserved matters. |
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An interim assembly, established by the St Andrews Agreement Act (2006) to prepare for restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Transitional Assembly first met on 24 November 2006 and ceased to exist on 8 May 2007. |
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The method by which decisions are made in the Assembly. MLAs vote by saying "Aye" or "No" The Speaker then decides if the motion is carried (passed) or not. If the result is unclear or the Speaker’s decision is challenged, the Speaker may call for a division to take place to allow counting of votes in the division lobbies. The "Ayes" use the lobby to the right of the Speaker and "Noes" the one to the left. Most votes in the Assembly are decided by a majority of those voting. However, certain votes are subject to cross-community support. |
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MLAs in each party who are responsible for keeping party members informed about Assembly business and ensuring their attendance in the Chamber, especially when a vote is anticipated. Whips try to ensure that MLAs of the party vote in line with its policies. Most parties appoint a Chief Whip. |
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Questions to Ministers about the work of their Department that are not requesting an oral answer in the Assembly Chamber. Questions are submitted almost 2 weeks in advance. Replies are sent to the MLAs who asked the questions and are published weekly in the Written Answers Booklet. |