PRESS RELEASE

27 November 2007

AER 10- 07/08

ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE

The Assembly and Executive Review Committee met today to discuss the issue of multiple mandates and whether the existing arrangements whereby members of the Northern Ireland Assembly can hold concurrent positions as Councillors, Westminster MPs, Members of the House of Lords, MEPs or positions in other legislatures should continue.

The Committee reviewed submissions from each of the parties and agreed to conduct an inquiry into the issue and to bring forward early recommendations on phasing out multiple mandates.

The Committee also revisited a number of the matters to be transferred as part of the devolution of policing and justice.

The Committee is required to report by February 2008 on the preparations which the Assembly has made, and needs to make, to facilitate the devolution of policing and justice matters and will hear from the Chief Constable on 8 January 2008.

Note for Editor:

The Assembly and Executive Review Committee is a Standing Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Membership of the Committee is as follows:

Chairperson:	Rt. Hon. Jeffrey Donaldson, MP
Deputy Chairperson:	Mr Raymond McCartney
Committee Members:	Mr Alex Attwood
	Mrs Carmel Hanna
	Mr Danny Kennedy
	Mr Nelson McCausland
	Mr Ian McCrea
	Mr Alan McFarland
	Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
	Mr John O’Dowd
	Mr George Robinson

The Committee meets in Parliament Buildings and visitors are welcome to attend open sessions. Members of the public are advised to check the website (archive.niassembly.gov.uk) for details of meetings prior to arriving at Parliament Buildings.

For further information on the work of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee, please contact:

Sinead Lee
Northern Ireland Assembly Information Office,
Room B2, Parliament Buildings,
Belfast BT4 3XX.
Telephone 028 90521137/521396.
Fax 028 90521961.