Debates:

At Assembly meetings, MLAs debate issues. They make laws about things like roads and health.

Debates:

At Assembly meetings, MLAs debate issues. They make laws about things like roads and health.

Debates:

At Assembly meetings, MLAs debate issues. They make laws about things like roads and health.

Committee Meetings

From 1932 to 1972, the Senate Chamber was the Upper House of the NI Parliament. It is modelled on the House of Lords at Westminster. Today, it is one of several rooms in Parliament Buildings used by committees. Sometimes, meetings are held at locations outside Parliament Buildings. There are 3 types of committees: Standing, Ad Hoc and Statutory.

Standing Committees

Standing Committees work on issues to do with the operation of the Assembly. For example, the Business Committee decides the agenda for plenary meetings in the Assembly Chamber.

Ad Hoc Committees

Ad Hoc Committees are formed for a limited period of time to look into specific issues. Once an Ad Hoc Committee has reported on an issue, it ceases to exit.

Statutory Committees

Statutory Committees check what Ministers and their Departments are doing and examine their suggestions for new laws. They can call Ministers and their staff to a committee meeting to ask the questions.