Factsheet 9

Visiting the Northern Ireland Assembly in Parliament Buildings

General opening hours

The general public can visit the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings Monday to Friday, from 9 am until 4 pm, subject to the business of the Assembly and the official tour programme. All visitors are asked to go through a security check on arrival. Entrance is free.

The Great Hall Parliament Buildings

Tours

Tours of Parliament Buildings are available by prior arrangement with an MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly), or through the Education Service as part of an educational visit (see below).

Groups wishing to arrange a tour may, in the first instance, contact the Events Office to check availability in terms of date and time, before approaching an MLA to request sponsorship.

MLAs can be contacted through party general offices in Parliament Buildings, or through constituency offices. The contact details for the general offices of each political party represented in the Assembly are set out below.

028 9052 1873 Democratic Unionist Party
028 9052 1471 Sinn Fein
028 9052 1441 Ulster Unionist Party
028 9052 1319 Social Democratic and Labour Party
028 9052 1314 Alliance Party
028 9052 1469 Progressive Unionist Party
028 9052 1790 Green Party
028 9052 0464 Independent Health Coalition

Tours last between 30-45 minutes and provide information on: the Stormont Estate; Parliament Buildings, its past and present usage; the evolution of government in Northern Ireland and the architecture of the building. Delivery and content of the tour can be adjusted to meet the requirements of particular groups.

Functions

Functions may be held in Parliament Buildings under the sponsorship of MLAs.

Please contact the Events Office for further information.

The Events Office

Phone: +44 (028) 9052 1362/1975.
Email: events.office@niassembly.gov.uk

A virtual tour of Parliament Buildings is available on the Assembly Website at http://archive.niassembly.gov.uk/vtour/vtour_index.htm

See the Assembly in Action

On business days, the public can watch the Assembly in plenary session or in open committee meetings.

Plenary sessions are usually held on Mondays, from 12.00 Noon, and on Tuesdays, from 10.30 am. Seats in the Public Gallery are allocated on a first come, first served basis on the day of the sitting and tickets are available from 30 minutes prior to the start of the session. Visitors wishing to visit the Public Gallery should report to the front reception area of Parliament Buildings.

Committees meet from Tuesdays to Fridays. Those wishing to view a committee session should report to the front reception area.

Information about Plenary and Committee business is available on the ‘What’s Happening’ section of the website, at archive.niassembly.gov.uk

The Education Service

The Northern Ireland Assembly Education Service provides an educational visits programme in Parliament Buildings and educational resources to support teaching and learning about the Northern Ireland Assembly. While primarily aimed at schools and other educational establishments, the Education Programme is available to any group wanting to learn about the work of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

School programmes are tailored to meet the requirements of the Northern Ireland Curriculum set out by the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). Citizenship, Government and Politics, and History are some of the subjects that can be brought alive by an educational visit to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

What does an educational visit involve?

Educational visits to Parliament Buildings may involve one or more of the following:

• a presentation on the Assembly by an Education Officer
• a tour (On a Monday or Tuesday, a visit to the public gallery can be arranged to watch a plenary session. On other days, visitors can sit inside the Chamber and learn all about plenary sessions.)
• an activity session, eg, a mock election
• a Question & Answer session with MLAs
• an address by Assembly staff, eg, a Committee Clerk

The programme can be tailored to meet the needs of a group and all participants receive an educational pack.

When are educational visits available?

Educational Visits to Parliament Buildings are usually available Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. In exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to arrange evening and Saturday visits.

How do I book an educational visit?

Contact the Education Service

Phone: +44 (028) 90 521833
Email: education.service@niassembly.gov.uk

Please note:

There is no charge for a visit to Parliament Buildings. Due to accommodation restrictions and the business of the Assembly, the maximum group size for an educational visit is 40.

For further information about the Education Service and a range of educational resources, please go the Education Website at http://education.niassembly.gov.uk

Special Requirements

Parking: There are spaces allocated to disabled badge holders in the Upper East and West Car Parks. Prior notice is required. Call +44 (028) 90 521921

Building Access: Wheelchair users can enter Parliament Buildings through the East and West Doors adjacent to the upper car parks. All floors are accessible by lift.

Induction Loops for those with hearing difficulties are installed in public areas. Portable loops are available at Reception. Fire alarm alerters are also available.

How to find us

Location of Stormont Estate

Parliament Buildings Access and Parking

Regular Metro services (20a and 23) are available to and from the Estate.

Quick Facts

• The Great Hall of Parliament Buildings is usually open to the public from Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.
• Tours of Parliament Buildings are available by prior arrangement with an MLA or as part of an educational visit.
• You can watch the Assembly in Plenary session on Mondays and Tuesdays.
• You can observe open Committee meetings of the Assembly from Tuesday to Friday.
• Information about ‘What’s Happening’ in the Northern Ireland Assembly is available on the website archive.niassembly.gov.uk

Assembly Information

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

NIA General Enquiries

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