Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

Your Assembly

Committee for the Environment
Committee foe Education and Learning
 Committee for Agriculture
 
Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety
 Committee for Social Development
    Commonwealth Day

Working for You

The Assembly…

is the devolved legislature for Northern Ireland. It is responsible for making laws on transferred matters in Northern Ireland and for scrutinising the work of Ministers and Government Departments. The Assembly sits at Parliament Buildings, Stormont Estate, in Belfast. Members (MLAs) meet to debate issues; question Ministers; and make laws for the benefit of people in Northern Ireland. Each MLA represents her or his constituency, and there are 6 MLAs for each constituency.

Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)…

are elected by the people of Northern Ireland. There are 108 MLAs, 6 from each of the 18 constituencies in Northern Ireland. Elections to the Assembly are held every four years.

The MLAs’ role includes passing laws and examining the work of Ministers and their Government departments.

Plenary session

Plenary sessions…

are full meetings of the Assembly in the Assembly Chamber. This is where MLAs debate issues that concern the people of Northern Ireland, and pass laws. Plenary sessions are held on Mondays and Tuesdays. They are broadcast live on the Assembly’s website. You can watch a plenary session from the Public Gallery that overlooks the Chamber.

Assembly committees…

are working groups of 11 MLAs. Each committee specialises in a particular area of work. They scrutinise proposed new laws, review the work of Ministers and their departments and examine issues relating to the work of the Assembly.

Since 2007, Assembly committees have met with hundreds of people and considered many different issues that affect the people of Northern Ireland. These include health issues, water charges, school transfer tests, energy prices, road safety and access to housing.

The committees usually meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. You are welcome to attend a committee meeting to hear the MLAs’ discussion.

Parliament Buildings…

is open to the public between 9.00am and 4.00pm, Monday to Friday. You can take a tour of this impressive building by arranging it through an MLA or through our Education Service.

Your Assembly…

provides a Visits Programme for schools and groups that want to learn about the Northern Ireland Assembly. It also provides educational resources to support teaching and learning.

There is also an outreach programme which visits local communities to present information about the Assembly.

School visit to the assembly

Working for You

Interested in finding out more about the Northern Ireland Assembly?

  • Visit the website on
    archive.niassembly.gov.uk
  • Call or email with any queries
  • See the Assembly in plenary session on Monday or Tuesday
  • Attend a committee meeting in Parliament Buildings or in your local area
  • Contact your MLA to request a tour of the building
  • Visit Parliament Buildings (Monday to Friday) to view the Great Hall and gift shop
Stormont Bulidings

Public Information Office
Northern Ireland Assembly
Parliament Buildings
Belfast, BT4 3XX

General Enquiries
Tel: +44 (0)28 9052 1333
Fax: +44 (0)28 9052 1980
Email: info@niassembly.gov.uk
Web: www@niassembly.gov.uk

If you have any questions about the
Northern Ireland Assembly
please contact our Public Information Office.

Working for You