Debate contribution: Election of Speaker and Deputy Speakers

Debate contribution by Mr Matthew O'Toole on 13 May 2022.

MLA: Mr Matthew O'Toole
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 13 May 2022
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Speaker's Business
Heading: Election of Speaker and Deputy Speakers
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4140144

Text

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to make a very brief point of order. I want to put on the record again, on behalf of all the people of Northern Ireland, my deep frustration and disappointment that we are not forming a Government today. Mr Speaker, I ask for your advice on two matters. First, in the absence of even a shadow caretaker Assembly, are MLAs able to ask caretaker Ministers, including many Members on the DUP Benches, who still hold ministerial office, questions for written answer? Is that in order? Can those questions be submitted? Secondly, as my party qualifies to be in opposition, what consideration will be given to allowing parties that qualify for opposition to organise themselves into an Opposition to challenge the caretaker Ministers and hold them to account?

134 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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