how the ni assembly works & how to lobby
TRANSCRIPT
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