How to Approach Political Committees and Communicate With Them Effectively - a

Northern Ireland Perspective

Gerardine Blee

Background• Bsc Econ Information and Library Studies 2004, University of Wales,

Aberystwyth

• Queen’s University Belfast 2004-2007, Library Assistant

• Citizens Advice 2007-2009, Information Officer

• March 2009 – May 2015 – Employed at the Northern Ireland Assembly as Research Librarian and then Outreach Officer

• June 2015 – CILIP Development Officer, Northern Ireland and Wales

What is a Committee?• Three types of Committee

– Mandatory– Subject– Private Bill Committees

• Most committees currently have between seven and nine members.

• Members are selected with regard to the balance of political parties in the Parliament

Role of Committees

“The general function of a committee is to consider matters within its remit – competent matters – and report on them to the Parliament”.

Standing Orders of the Scottish Parliament; Rule 6.2 Functions of all Committees

Role of CommitteesStanding Orders of the Scottish Parliament Rule 6.2 sets out in more detail what this can involve. It includes:

• conducting inquiries;• scrutinising the policy and administration of the Scottish Government;• scrutinising Bills, statutory instruments, proposals for European

Communities legislation or other proposals to change the law;• initiating a Committee Bill or considering the need for reform of the law;• considering the financial proposals and financial administration of the

Scottish Government.

Communicating with Committees• Look at Forward Work Programme/End of Session reports on website and

see if your issue fits in with forthcoming briefings.

• View Committee meetings

• Read Committee/departmental publications

• Write to the Committee with your specific policy issue.

Communicating with Committees• Express interest and/or attend stakeholder events

• Write to the Convener/Chair or Committee Clerk

• Speak to your local MSPs – they will generally have party colleagues on the Committee and can liaise with them on your behalf

Committee Inquiries• Committee agrees an issue for inquiry and the Clerk draw up terms of

reference to be agreed by the Committee

• Committee issues a call for evidence

• On receiving the written submissions, the Clerk will summarise and present recommendations to the Committee on who to call for oral evidence.

• The Clerk will issue formal invitations to witnesses. A wide range of views will be sought.

What do Committees do?• Gather Evidence - Committees can take evidence by email or letter, or they

can invite witnesses to give evidence in person

• Petitions - Petitions can be submitted by individuals and groups who want to raise an issue.

• Inquiries - An inquiry is an important means of holding the Scottish Government to account by scrutinising, in detail, its policy and administration.

Communicating effectively• Be Strategic

• Stick to the point

• Use reason and logic

• Use direct and simple language

Responding to call for evidence• Be concise and straightforward

• Be correct and complete

• Make it clear what you support and what you don’t

• Get it in on time!