Political News
Moira Doherty appointed Permanent Secretary of The Executive Office
Moira Doherty, who has had the role on an interim basis since February, has been appointed Permanent Secretary of The Executive Office following an external recruitment process last year.
DUP: Cllr Julie Middleton replaces husband as MLA for Foyle
DUP councillor Julie Middleton has officially signed the Roll of Members to sit as an MLA for Foyle in the Northern Ireland Assembly. She replaces her husband Gary Middleton after he resigned last week.
DUP: Foyle MLA Gary Middleton to step down due to ‘significant mental health challenges’
“I am journeying through a difficult experience and have been for some time,” the Foyle MLA said in a statement on Thursday. He will step down from the Assembly on Friday, giving the DUP one week to select a replacement.
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)