Political News
John O’Dowd commits to introducing Jade’s Law equivalent in Northern Ireland
The finance minister has confirmed that officials are working towards the introduction of a Jade’s Law equivalent early in the next Assembly mandate. It follows campaigning by human rights advocate Edwin Duggan, who was key to the law being introduced in England & Wales.
£129m growth deal for Causeway Coast and Glens signed by ministers in Limavady
The growth deal is set to provide a new Centre for Food and Drug Discovery at Ulster University’s Coleraine campus, a Foodovation and Skills Centre at NWRC in Limavady and a regeneration project in Dungiven.
SDLP: Paul Doherty leaves party with immediate effect
The current deputy lord mayor of Belfast, councillor Paul Doherty, has left the SDLP with immediate effect, following a council motion on the erection of a Bobby Sands statue in Twinbrook.
Your Representatives
Councils are responsible for local services such as waste collection, leisure centres, parks, planning, environmental health and community development. They cannot make laws. Councillors are elected using Single Transferable Vote (STV) every four years.
The Assembly is the devolved legislature for Northern Ireland, based at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. There are 90 members that are elected from 18 constituencies. The MLAs make laws on devolved matters such as health, education, justice, infrastructure and agriculture. MLAs are elected every five years using STV.
The UK Parliament is the highest legislative authority and NI is represented by 18 Members of Parliament. MPs make decision on reserved and excepted matters, which include defence, foreign policy, immigration and taxation and welfare. MPs are elected every five years in a general election using First Past the Post (FPTP)