The Northern Ireland Assembly

The Northern Ireland Assembly makes laws for Northern Ireland only.

Representatives from all parts of Northern Ireland sit in the assembly.

They are called Members of the Legislative Assembly, or MLAs. We can vote for these politicians in regional elections.

The most powerful of these representatives are the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister.

The role of the Northern Ireland Assembly includes:

making laws which will protect people, and promote equality and diversity;
representing the electorate’s views;
ensuring that there is high quality healthcare, education, housing, and transport networks to meet the needs of the people;
working to ensure that the terms of the Good Friday Agreement are met;
developing strategies which encourage investment and help local businesses;
building relations with other countries;
educating and raising awareness about the role of the Northern Ireland Assembly;
showing leadership to the community;
promoting community relations.

The role of the NI Executive includes:

agreeing a draft programme for the government of Northern Ireland, and setting out government priorities and commitments to improve the economy and society;
agreeing a the draft budget for Northern Ireland, prescribing how finances are allocated and spent by the different government departments;
drafting legislation to be passed before the Northern Ireland Assembly members. The Executive have to reach a consensus on how to resolve significant or controversial issues.

MLAs have a number of important jobs to do while in office:

they must engage in dialogue and work with other political parties to make decisions about Northern Ireland;
they have to represent their constituents (the people who elected them);
they need to listen to the electorate and make decisions;
they will make laws which will protect people, promote equality and enrich diversity;
they promote human rights and ensure that the terms of the Good Friday Agreement are met;
they promote community relations.

��ý