Devolution inquiry hears from MLAs and interest groups
21 February 2018
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee hears from MLAs and interest groups on methods of reforming the devolved institutions and their practices.
- Watch Parliament TV: Devolution and democracy in Northern Ireland – dealing with the deficit
- Inquiry: Devolution and democracy in Northern Ireland – dealing with the deficit
- Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Witnesses
Wednesday 21 February in the Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
At 9.30am
- Paul Braithwaite, Programme Leader, Building Change Trust
- Jamie Bryson, Unionist Voice Policy Studies
- Derek McCallan, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Local Government Association
- Ruth Taillon, Director, Centre for Cross-Border Studies
At 10.35am
- Colum Eastwood MLA, Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party
- Claire Sugden MLA
Purpose of the session
In the first session, the Committee will hear from four interest groups who have proposed alternative solutions to improve the democratic deficit in Northern Ireland. They will explore methods of reforming the devolved institutions and their practices. It will also examine how the lack of a functioning Executive has affected Northern Ireland's interests in Brexit discussions, the effect on local government and potential alternatives for improving representation.
The second and third sessions feature the SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and then the former Minister of Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive, Claire Sugden MLA. The sessions will explore the role of other parties in talks to restore the Executive. It will also look at solutions for improving the governance of Northern Ireland in the short term, and potential reforms for establishing sustainable government in the future. The witnesses will appear before the Committee individually during this session.
Further information
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