The Executive Committee

How is the NI Executive different to other executives?

The NI Assembly only has control over devolved powers

What are the main functions of the executive committee? (4)

1. To ensure the smooth running of the areas devolved to NI, which also means keeping NI in line with the rest of the Uk
2. To produce and agree on a programme for government, which sets out the policy priorities for the duration of a term in office. This should include specific targets and and indicate how they will be achieved
3. To agree and produce a budget in line with allowances from the UK and in relation to planned expenditure
4. To agree proposals from ministers for new legislation in their area of responsibility in the form of executive bills

Who is on the Executive Committee?(3)

1. First and Deputy First Minister
2. Two junior ministers
3. Eight departmental ministers

Why has the appointing of the First/Deputy First minister been criticised>

People believe it keeps the sectarian divide

What is an example of someone acting on behalf of a First/Deputy first minister?

Arlene Foster acted for Peter Robinson Between Jan 1-Feb 3 2011 and September 2015

How are the other ministers elected?

D’Hondt

What powers allow the executive office to dominate the executive committee? (8)

1. Setting the agenda
2. Deciding the number of ministers and departments
3. Deciding if referrals for executive reviews are valid and if those issues should result in wider debate
4. Holding casting vote in urgent decisions to be made outside normal executive committee meeting
5. Commanding, as the leaders of the two largest parties, a majority of MLAs together, which may aid the passage if their specific legislative programmes
6. Taking the lead role in drawing up both programme for government and the relevant budget. Implications for other ministers and how they relate to the first minister and deputy first minister
7. Attracting the focus of the media, which increases their standing (rather like the uk prime minister)
8. Taking the lead role in overseas negotiations and relations, including trade

How can the executive office help the First/Deputy First Minister? (4)

1. Research policy areas
2. compile statistical reports for assembly debates
3. help prepare motions
4. advise on how to respond to assembly questions

How does the functions of the Executive office help First/Deputy First minister? ()

Helps the First and Deputy First minister be better informed and more prepared than ordinary MLAs- which will give them the edge in debates and negotiations

What are the limitations of the executive committee? (5)

1. The Two first ministers rely on all other ministers
2. Hard to fully dominate due to mandatory coalition
3. No principal of collective responsibility, opposition within the cabinet cannot be silenced- power sharing makes this impossible- reduces power of the heads
4. Now power of patronage, cant choose who sits in cabinet so amount of control is reduced
5. Cannot remove ministers, ministers have a considerable freedom in their departments

What are examples of divisions in the executive? (2)

1. Welfare reform 2015
2. RHI Scandal 2017 (Caused a collapse)

What are the growing divisions in the assembly and where have we seen this happen?

Between larger parties and smaller parties. This came to a head after the May 2016 elections, where the SDLP and UUP(Alliance was also apart of this opposition but as they only had 9 seats they couldn’t receive opposition benefits) pulled out of the executive committee and formed the official opposition. This move radically altered the operation of the executive committee

What are some examples of high profile disagreements? (4)

1. Maze regeneration proposals
2. The Irish language act
3. The Welfare reform act
4. The handling of the RHI Scandal

How are ministers in NI different to Westminster?

Their decisions do not need ran past a prime minister, they get final call for a lot of their own decisions. Their freedom is far greater when it comes to policy decisions

What are solo runs?

The practice of devising a policy and pushing it through against the wishes of the rest of the executive

What are some examples of solo runs? (2)

1. 2000, Bairbre De Brun relocated maternity services from Jubilee at Belfast City Hospital to Royal Victoria Hospital, she was accused of moving services to her own constituency
2. 2007, Catriona Ruane took the decision to scrap the 11+, initiated by Martin McGuiness when he was education minister, there was no clear alternative to the exam put in place

What was difficult about Solo run and how did this change legislation?

In our two examples, both ministers acted within the GFA. This is why the DUP were keen to the see the mechanism added to the St Andrews Agreement to make solo runs difficult

What makes it difficult to control ministers? (3)

1. Mandatory Coalition- makes it difficult for First-Deputy Minister to control, particularly when the minister is from a different political party or community.
2. As they don’t appoint ministers they cannot control them
3. Ministers cannot be forced to stand behind legislation due to a lack of collective responsibility

What is D’Hondt?

A Mathematical formula designed to allocate seats proportionally based on electoral results

Who is exempt from D’hondt? (2)

1. Justice minister, elected by a cross community vote
2. Fisrt/Deputy first minister- Leaders of the largest parties

What are the devolved powers in NI? (15)

1. Health and social services
2. Education
3. Employment and skills
4. Agriculture
5. Social security
6. Pensions and child support
7. Housing
8. Economic development
9. Local Government
10. Environmental issues
11. Transport
12. Culture and sport
13. NI Civil service
14. Equality
15. Policing and Justice

What are excepted powers in NI? (12)

1. The UK Constitution
2. Royal succession
3. International relations
4. Defence and the armed forces
5. Nationality, immigration and asylum
6. Elections
7. National security
8. Nuclear energy
9. UK Wide taxation
10. Currency
11. Conferring honours
12. International treaties

What are reserved powers in NI? (10)

1. Fire arms and explosives
2. Financial services
3. Broadcasting
4. Import and Export controls
5. Navigation and civil aviation
6. International trade and financial markets
7. Telecommunications and postage
8. The foreshore and seabed
9. Disqualification from assembly membership
10. Consumer safety

What is a programme for government?

The goals the executive sets for the coming years

What was the programme for government 2011-15?(10)

1. Double glazing for all social houses
2. investment in businesses
3. Increase tourism
4. One year of free nursery places for families
5. attract a major golf tournament (Achieved with Irish Open in 2013)
6. Devolved Corporation tax
7. Sports stadia
8. Create jobs
9. Support unemployed youth into employment
10. Plastic bag levy

How did the executive do on completing the 2011-2015 government programme?

Completed 81% of plans (Higher than the previous mandates 67%)

In the 2011-16 Mandate, how were the bills split up? (3)

67 Bills passed;


1. 60 were executive bills
2. 5 Were PMBs
3. 2 were Committee Bils

What is the criticisms of legislation passed in NI?

Too much parity legislation passed

What is an example of local legislation?

Marine Act 2013

What makes the executive committee effective? (5)

1. The ability to produce and deliver effective programmes for government
2. The ability to pass relevant and regionally specific legislation
3. The ability to function as a powersharing government
4. The ability to demonstrate leadership and public service
5. The ability to command local, national and international respect

How does the public get involved in scrutiny?

Legislation goes out for public consultation and written submissions are considered by the relevant committee.

What is an example of good relations between first/deputy first ministers?

Martin McGuiness and Ian Paisley- known as the chuckle brothers

How have both of the largest parties compromise? (2)

1. SF gave support to new PSNI
2. DUP worked with NSMC and fully cooperated in cross border schemes

How has the executive been successful between 2007-2017? (3)

1. has fulfilled 2 full mandates
2. agreed on st andrews
3. has passed laws

What is an example of the division between larger-smaller parties?

SDLP Environment minister Mark Durkans 2013 Planning bill, Withdrawn after he claimed amendments to the bill made by DUP and SF the possibility of planning

What was first of planned measures to try improve the image of the assembly?

Twitter

page 75&76

What are the ways the executive committee can be seen as ineffective? (7)

1. Having five main parties makes it difficult to co-operate
2. Lack of collective resposnibility
3. Problems with tribal politic
4. New emerging divisions like large-small parties
5. Failure to resolve issues such as flags and parades
6. lack of opposition (until 2016) lead to too much power
7. Failure to suggest enough home grown legislation

What are the ways the executive committee can be seen as effective? (6)

1. Better than direct rule and its corresponding democratic deficit.
2. Better than the period from 1998 to 2007, characterised by suspensions and stop-start devolution.
3. Has provided local legislation, which is popular and reflects regional needs, for example, keeping university fees lower than in the rest of the UK.
4. Has produced and carried out two full Programmes for Government and corresponding budgets with a fair degree of success.
5. Consociational model provides a good basis for government and has gone a long way to making sure that all sides of society feel represented and treated equally.
6. Some evidence of political maturity has been demonstrated by the DUP and Sinn Féin in particular. Their willingness to work together may be long overdue, but it is also helpful in leading the way in breaking down long-standing sectarian divisions.

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