The Northern Ireland Assembly was set up following the signing of the Belfast Agreement (also known as the Good Friday [?] because it was signed on that day, the 10th April 1998). In a referendum (public vote), 71% of those who voted supported the Agreement.
Under Direct Rule, the UK Government at [?] had responsibility for decision-making in Northern Ireland. Following the Agreement, power in certain areas was handed over to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The first [?] to the Northern Ireland Assembly were on the 25th June 1998. 108 Members were elected, 6 from each of the 18 Westminster [?]. They are called MLAs, which means [?] of the Legislative Assembly. The [?] election was held on the 26th November 2003.

[?] was devolved, or handed over from Westminster on the 2nd December 1999. This meant the [?] could make decisions in areas transferred to Northern Ireland, e.g. agriculture, [?], health, and the [?]. It appointed 10 Ministers to have particular responsibility in these areas.

The Assembly carries out its [?] in full meetings, called plenaries, and in [?] groups called Committees.