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Northern Ireland

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Northern Ireland

Government First Minister: Peter Robinson Deputy First Minister: Martin McGuinness Northern Ireland Ministers Northern Ireland Executive Departments Executives: First - Suspended - Second National Assembly Committees List of Acts Statutory Rules Speaker: William Hay Members (MLA): 2007 - 2003 - 1998 Constituencies Elections: 2007 - 2003 - 1998 Other Public Bodies Northern Ireland Policing Board Parades Commission in the UK Her Majesty's Government Secretary of State: Shaun Woodward MP Northern Ireland Office Direct Rule Grand Committee Select Committee UK Parliament Commons Lords Privy Council Constituencies Acts Elections: 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992,        1997, 2001, 2005, 2009/10 in the EU European Parliament European Parliament constituency MEP Elections: 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994,        1999, 2004, 2009 Political parties Designated Unionist Democratic Unionist Party Ulster Unionist Party Progressive Unionist Party Conservatives Traditional Unionist Voice Designated Nationalist Sinn Féin Social Democratic and Labour Party Fianna Fáil Designated Other Alliance Party Green Party Related bodies North/South Ministerial Council British-Irish Council British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference Civic Forum for Northern Ireland Agreements St Andrews Agreement (2006) Belfast Agreement (1998) Segregation in Northern Ireland

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The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly is the presiding officer of the Northern Ireland Assembly, elected on a cross-community vote by the Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Three Deputy Speakers are elected to help fulfil the role. The Office of the Speaker is in Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast. The Speaker is also the Chairman of the Assembly Commission, the body corporate of the Assembly, and the Chairman of the Assembly Business Committee.

History

The first person to hold the position was Lord Alderdice, appointed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in 1998. Initially, he was referred to as the Initial Presiding Officer, becoming known as the Speaker upon devolution in December 1999. He left office in 2004.

Eileen Bell held the office of Speaker in the Assembly established under the Northern Ireland Act 2006 which met between May and October 2006 and in the Transitional Assembly established under the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006 which met between November 2006 and May 2007. Under the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006 she was appointed Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly on 8 May 2007.

One of the first items of business for the Northern Ireland Assembly on 8 May 2007 was to elect a new Speaker from the MLAs elected in March 2007. The only nominee was William Hay DUP member for Foyle and he was elected unopposed.

Election

During the first meeting of a new assembly a Speaker is elected. If a speaker is seeking re-election then the eldest Member of the Assembly (see Father of the House) who is not seeking the appointment oversees the election as Acting Speaker. Nominees are then put forward, seconded and accepted by the nominee. A vote is then taken which must achieve the support of both sides of the house (cross-community support). A successful nominee is then deemed elected as Speaker and takes the chair. Upon election the Speaker must relinquish all party political affiliations. The newly or re-elected speaker then oversees the selection of three Deputy Speakers.

Speakers

Lord Alderdice

Eileen Bell

Willie Hay

Deputy Speakers

See also

• Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales
• Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament
• Speaker of the British House of Commons
• Lord Speaker

External links

• Office of the Speaker Home Page

v • d • e Northern Ireland Assembly Assembly Speaker • Acts • Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Committees Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister • Agriculture and Rural Development • Culture, Arts and Leisure • Education • Employment and Learning • Enterprise, Trade and Investment • Environment • Finance and Personnel • Health, Social Services and Public Safety • Regional Development • Regional Development Constituencies Belfast East • Belfast North • Belfast South • Belfast West • East Antrim • East Londonderry • Fermanagh and South Tyrone • Foyle • Lagan Valley • Mid Ulster • Newry and Armagh • North Antrim • North Down • South Antrim • South Down • Strangford • Upper Bann • West Tyrone Parties Alliance Party • Democratic Unionists • Green Party • Progressive Unionists • Sinn Féin • Social Democratic and Labour • Ulster Unionists Elections 2007 • 2003 • 1998 Procedure cross-community vote See also Belfast Agreement • St Andrews Agreement

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• This page was last modified on 22 November 2008, at 13:46.

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