Assembly and Executive Reform (Assembly Opposition) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016
| Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to provide for the formation of an Assembly Opposition; to provide for the passing of an Assembly and Executive Transfer of Responsibilities Motion; and to reform the Assembly and the Executive. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2016 c. 10 (N.I.) |
| Introduced by | John McCallister |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 23 March 2016 |
| Commencement | 24 March 2016 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Assembly and Executive Reform (Assembly Opposition) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Assembly and Executive Reform (Assembly Opposition) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 10 (N.I.)) is an act of the Northern Ireland Assembly which established the Official Opposition in the Assembly.
History
[edit]In 2015, the Northern Ireland Secretary, Theresa Villiers, described Stormont as "increasingly" dysfunctional.[1]
Provision
[edit]The Act allows for a party that holds at least 8% of all of the seats in the Assembly to choose to form the Opposition.[2] Ten days in each Assembly sitting are allocated to the opposition to set the agenda.[3] The Opposition has enhanced speaking rights.[4]
The Act has provisions for additional payments to be given to the Official Opposition, but this was not in force in 2019.[5]
Reception
[edit]Having an Official Opposition has been described as the first step towards "normal" politics.[6]
Further developments
[edit]The first Official Opposition to be formed under the Act occurred after the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election, which included the SDLP and the UUP and was led by the SDLP's Matthew O'Toole.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "MPs warned Stormont is 'increasingly dysfunctional'". ITV Plc. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Devolution: An analysis of the potential of the Official Opposition in Northern Irish Devolution". British Politics at Queen's. Queen's University Belfast. 21 February 2024.
- ^ Kee, Jessica (28 July 2022). "The Official Opposition: What does it mean?". Stratagem. Connect Group. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Daly, Connor (21 May 2016). "Opposition: what does it mean?". Stratagem. Connect Group. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Governing without ministers Northern Ireland since the fall of the power-sharing executive (PDF) (Report). Institute for Government. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ a b Miller, George (31 May 2016). "Northern Ireland's first official Opposition – a step towards 'normal politics'?". Institute for Government. Retrieved 20 October 2024.