Inquiry Into Topical Questions

NIA 105/11-15, Second Report of Session 2011-15 - Report, Together with Minutes of Proceedings and Written Submissions Relating to the Report

Author:

Northern Ireland Assembly - Committee on Procedures

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

The report 'Inquiry into Topical Questions (NIA 105/11-15)' marks the completion of the Committee's inquiry into Topical Questions (TQs), which aimed to ascertain whether there was merit in introducing Standing Orders (SOs) to facilitate TQs in the Northern Ireland Assembly and how these would be best managed in practice.

The Committee concludes that the Assembly give its approval to proceed with drafting SOs and to implement the findings and recommendations set out in the report.

(i) that SOs are drafted to introduce a procedure to enable enhanced scrutiny of the work of departments, and to hold Ministers to account, enabling issues to be raised when they are topical;

(ii) questions on topical issues should be referred to by Ministers as a Topical Question;

(iii) the Assembly Commission is excluded from the TQs rota; and

(iv) the proposed processes should run for a trial period of six months, following which a review of the process and practices should be undertaken by the Committee.

Extent	61 pages	ISBN	9780339604735
Size	A4	Price	£11.50
Format	Paperback	Published	16 Apr 2013
Availability	Out of Print: but may be available to order	Delivery	Delivery options and charges