how the ni assembly works & how to lobby

What we will cover

Policy Politics Process

Who governs NI?

462 Local Councillors

26 Members of House of Lords

British Irish Council and North South Ministerial Council

108 MLA’s

Including 12 Ministers and 2 Junior Ministers

3 MEP’s

18 MP’s

NI Assembly

• One of the institutions established in Strand One of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement 1998

• Others include:

Human Rights Commission

Equality Commission

British Irish Inter-Governmental Conference.

British Irish Council

North South Ministerial Council Civic Forum

Devolution• The transfer of certain powers from a central government

to a regional government. • Allows decisions to be made at a level closer to the

people they affect.• Central government retains power over certain areas.• Northern Ireland continues to elect MPs to the UK

Parliament’s House of Commons and the Secretary of State continues to represent Northern Ireland’s interests in the UK Cabinet.

Transferred matters

• Education• Health• Housing• Transport• Road safety• Environment• Sport, Arts & Leisure• Wildlife protection

• Agriculture• Forestry and fishing• Economic Development• Employment and Training• Fire and ambulance

services• Tourism• Policing and Justice

• Ministers - more accountable to the Executive and the Assembly - legally binding Ministerial Code

• No election of FM and DFM

• Specific reference in Pledge of Office to support for the ‘rule of law’; joint nature of OFMDFM and participating in ALL the institutions.

• NEW: An Assembly and Executive Review Committee

• No re-designation except when a Member changes party

• Greater accountability of North-South Institutions

St Andrews Agreement

NI Executive.• Headed by a First Minister and Deputy First Minister –

jointly• A multi-party Executive• Eleven Ministers each have full ministerial responsibility.• Appointed using a mathematical system (d’Hondt)• Discusses issues which cut across the responsibilities of

2 or more Ministers. • Prioritises government proposals and plans, producing

budget and Programme for Government.

The Northern Ireland Assembly• 108 MLAs• Functions

– Passing legislation– Scrutiny– Representation

Proceedings of the Assembly

• Monday and Tuesday• Proceedings held in public• Begin with prayers/private reflection• Quorum – 10, including the Speaker• Categories of Business

– Executive Business– Committee Business– Questions

• Questions commence at 2.30pm and finish at 4.00pm on Mondays• There may be an adjournment debate at the end of a sitting

Questions

• Written Must be for the purpose of seeking information

• Members may table up to five questions for written answer each day, one of which may be for priority answer within two to five working days.

•Members who wish to ask an oral question of a Minister submit their names for inclusion in a computer ballot each Tuesday and, if selected, they table their question

•Topical Questions

Committees• Most of the day-to-day work of the Assembly is done in

Committees.• 3 types of Committees:

Statutory Standing Ad Hoc

• Membership of Committees broadly reflects party strength in the Assembly.

• Committees have 11 members.• Meetings are usually held weekly and last 2 – 3 hours.

Committees

Have right to:-

• Scrutinise Bills and make amendments• Scrutinise Department Budget• Initiate inquiries on areas within their Departmental responsibility• Bring forward their own legislation

http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/

Lobbying Tools.• Consultations• Debates• Statutory Committees • Adjournment Debates• Political Parties• Questions

Why lobby?• To influence decision making

• To change policy

• To create new policy or legislation

• To raise awareness of our issues

• To get things done

• To share your expertise

What is lobbying?• Lobbying is: ‘a citizen’s right to speak freely, to impact decisions and

petition government’ (US National Conference of State Legislators)

• The word ‘lobbying’ comes from the days of hanging about the lobby at Westminster, hoping to grab the attention of an MP

• Lobbying can be a positive activity

Defining lobbyingA public affairs practitioner/lobbyist uses a range of different tactics and strategies for making the most effective use of the available information to influence political decisions on behalf of their own organisation or a client.

Defining lobbyingThe 2012/13 VMA survey of lobbyists found that respondents believe the three most important attributes for effective lobbying are:

•The ability to effectively communicate a message•Problem solving abilities•Networking ability

What is good lobbying?• Evidence, evidence, evidence!• Tailoring your message • Knowing who to engage with and when• Building constructive relationships

Most Frequent Types of poor NGO Lobbying

Your Message

Message needs to be: Clear, Concise, Timely, Targeted & Relevant

Lobbying Relationship

What you can bring tothe table e.g. • Policy expertise• Experience of service delivery• Links with constituents• Media coverage

What targets (MLAs, MPs)can offer e.g. • Parliamentary Questions• Private Members Business • Amendments• Committee inquiry• Ministerial meeting• Sponsored event

Two Way

Influencing decisions

Inside lobbyingWork with

– MLAs, MPs, MEPs, councillors

– civil servants, – ministers, – clerks, – advisers

Outside lobbying (campaigning)Activities to push issues up the

political agenda – media activity, – local lobbying, – letter writing,– rallies, - legal interventions

Planning• Co-ordinate ‘internal’ and ‘external’ lobbying

• Strategy including research, objectives, priorities, costings, work plan, lines of communication, timeline

• Policy map and stakeholder map

• Agree proposal, rationale, key facts and figures, key requirements, evidence of demand, key messages, spokeswomen/men

• Involve volunteers, staff, management, board

• Performance indicators, review tactics