24/06/2009
New Rules On MLAs Employing Relatives
Stormont MLAs must now register the details of family members they employ, under a new code of conduct.
Under the policy, Assembly members must also register earnings made outside of Stormont.
MLAs approved the new code yesterday.
It had been pushed forward by the Standards and Privileges Committee, headed by the SDLP's Carmel Hanna.
Rent paid to relatives for constituency offices will now be subject to the register.
Stormont politicians could be suspended from the Assembly without pay if they are found to have broken the new rules.
The guidelines also states that members should be conscious of expressing controversial views regarding race and homosexuality.
It is believed Ms Hanna and her team have been formulating the new policy for sometime, however, its urgency was prompted by the revelations over MPs' expenses in Westminster.
In 2008, it was revealed 18 DUP MLAs employed family members, SDLP representatives 10, UUP members employed six relatives and among Sinn Fein MLAs it was three.
(PR/JM)
Under the policy, Assembly members must also register earnings made outside of Stormont.
MLAs approved the new code yesterday.
It had been pushed forward by the Standards and Privileges Committee, headed by the SDLP's Carmel Hanna.
Rent paid to relatives for constituency offices will now be subject to the register.
Stormont politicians could be suspended from the Assembly without pay if they are found to have broken the new rules.
The guidelines also states that members should be conscious of expressing controversial views regarding race and homosexuality.
It is believed Ms Hanna and her team have been formulating the new policy for sometime, however, its urgency was prompted by the revelations over MPs' expenses in Westminster.
In 2008, it was revealed 18 DUP MLAs employed family members, SDLP representatives 10, UUP members employed six relatives and among Sinn Fein MLAs it was three.
(PR/JM)
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As the polls prepare to open for tomorrow's European election, it has been revealed almost half of Northern Ireland's Assembly members support lowering the voting age to 16. According to a survey conducted by public affair firm Stratagem, 46% of our MLAs believe the right to vote should be extended to those over 16.
15 May 2006
NI Assembly sits at Stormont
Northern Ireland's Assembly Members are sitting in Stormont for the first time since the power-sharing body was suspended over three-and-a-half years ago. The Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain said the Government was determined to make the parties do their jobs and bring an end to the procrastination in the political process.
NI Assembly sits at Stormont
Northern Ireland's Assembly Members are sitting in Stormont for the first time since the power-sharing body was suspended over three-and-a-half years ago. The Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain said the Government was determined to make the parties do their jobs and bring an end to the procrastination in the political process.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.