The opening of the submission of Private Members Bills at Stormont has been delayed by the Speaker to allow the Assembly to take account of lessons from the last mandate.
It is understood that a number of MLAs are preparing to introduce bills on a number of issues including flexible working, a ban on XL Bully dogs and school uniform costs.
During the previous mandate 33 Private Members Bills were introduced to the Assembly with six of them going on to become legislation.
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Since the resumption of the Stormont institutions back in February, members have been debating a series of unsubstantive motions setting out what they hope to achieve in this mandate, but without the ability to introduce Private Members Bills on these issues, it renders the Assembly as an effective talking shop.
In September 2016, the then Committee on Procedures agreed to carry out a view of how the Assembly supports Private Members Bills. The collapse of the Assembly in 2017 meant that this review was not completed.
When the Assembly resumed in 2020, the Speaker presided over the creation of a dedicated Private Members’ Bills Unit focused on increasing the support provided to MLAs and the number of Private Members Bills which could be supported simultaneously.
The Speaker also wrote to the Committee in 2020 asking them to consider returning to a review on the Private Members' Bill system.
A 63-page report was delivered to the Assembly in February 2022 in which they made seven recommendations to improve the process for Private Members Bills including that the Speaker should approve fresh guidance for members in the next mandate which should account for the rules and procedures relating to Private Members Bills, including any changes to Standing Orders and guidance arising from their inquiry.
An Assembly spokesperson said: “The Speaker has been taking time to ensure arrangements for Members’ Bills take account of lessons in the last mandate, including the review conducted by the Committee on Procedures which was agreed by the Assembly in March 2022. The Speaker will be communicating to all Members shortly.”
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