Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Unflagged, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
I thank the Member for his supplementary question. Some of the issues that he has mentioned were discussed at our most-recent Commission meeting, and we are to get an update at our next meeting, so more information may be circulated in the future. The Member asked a specific question about protections. It would be…
I thank the Member for his answer. It seems strange that, if the average was £550 and they have given an uplift of £300, there is a gap. They may well be wanting Members to print less but, as we communicate with our constituents through letters, that is very hard and a printer becomes vital. With regard to going out…
I thank the Member for his question. Historically, the Assembly Commission provided Members with a printer device for use in their constituency office and paid for associated maintenance and repairs. Members then paid for the cost of printer toner via their constituency office operating expenses budget. The average…
I thank the Member for the response to my question. I welcome the fact that the process will be improved, as we have seen former staff of Members in the Building, having long since ceased their employment, and who have been subject to other outside circumstances. Has there been an audit of the passes that have been…
I thank the Member for her question. Usher Services staff issue Assembly ID passes on request to party staff in accordance with the d'Hondt formula, and some of those staff may also work in constituency offices. Members are also issued with three ID passes for use by their staff or other nominees. Usher Services staff…
I thank the Member for her question. I am only here to give the opinion of the Commission and cannot speak in my personal capacity. However, when I look at examples of answers to questions that may have been asked today, there is nothing that covers that. However, it is reasonable to assume that, given that the…
Thank you for the answer. I note that it is silent on MLAs and their staff. I know that we want a Parliament Buildings where everyone is comfortable, but I note that a number of Members wear sports gear, particularly in Committee meetings. What is the Assembly Commission's view on that issue, and will guidance be…
I thank the Member for her question. References to wearing sporting paraphernalia are in a number of Assembly Commission policies in order to take account of the different categories of users of Parliament Buildings. The Assembly Commission's staff handbook contains a dignity at work policy, which aims to make…
The Committees' scrutiny role is not a matter for the Assembly Commission. However, anything that will help us to carry out our functions better is always to be welcomed. If any training needs to go along with that, the Assembly Commission will not be found wanting. Members and staff will need to get to grips with the…
Thank you for the response. I am keen that, where new posts are created, there will be opportunities for Assembly staff members who have been here for many years, particularly in areas where there is under-representation. Is the Assembly Commission able to give an assurance that additional support will be put in place…
I thank the Member. The Assembly Commission is committed to ensuring that the Assembly has the resources that it needs to carry out its scrutiny and legislative functions. It has carefully considered the recommendations of the renewable heat incentive (RHI) inquiry and the weaknesses that were identified in the…
I do not think that there are any specific barriers, other than the fact that it is still being considered by the Assembly Commission. The Assembly Commission will meet in January and February next year, and, hopefully, the matter can be addressed then.
I thank the Member for his question. I am sure that all Members are interested in ensuring that pensions are aligned correctly, as they are meant to be, with those in other places. As for when that will happen, I am afraid that all I can say to the Member is that the introduction of the Bill is being considered by the…
The question is quite simple. Given that significant mismatch in pensions, at what stage will the Commission take the appropriate action and expedite the move by whatever form the pay and pension group takes. When will that happen?
I declare an interest as chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly pensions trustees. Thank you very much indeed for your comments. Obviously, there are considerable concerns among MLAs. Speaking, in some respects, as their shop steward on the issue of pensions, it is clear that Members' pensions are significantly out of…
I thank the Member for his question. In June 2020, the Assembly conferred powers on the Assembly Commission to determine matters relating to MLA expenses and allowances. However, matters relating to MLA salaries and pensions remain a matter for the successor independent financial review panel. The Assembly Commission…
Yes, I share the Member's concerns. The provision in the new determination was brought about because MLAs raised concerns about previous incidents. I was subjected to an incident at my constituency office. It was only through discussions at the Commission that we were able to provide that new assistance in the…
I thank the Member. She will no doubt share my concerns about constituency office staff, particularly those who work alone, and some of the challenges that exist there. Will the Commission agree to bring forward further measures that provide some reassurance to members of staff who are fearful about some of the more…
I thank the Member for his question. The Assembly Commission takes the security of Members and staff extremely seriously, and it is recognised that the interactions that Members have mean that security in Assembly Commission offices also has to be considered. The Speaker and the Clerk/Chief Executive recently met the…
There was consideration given at the Assembly Commission to doing the whole Building. Consensus was reached on doing the east and west ends. The Building is not in such disrepair that it is causing much negativity other than among Members like yourself and others. However, doing the rest of the Building is under…
I thank the Member for his answer. I am a bit perplexed as to why we would only clean the east and west ends. We are the custodians of this Building and the Commission is charged with that. Is the Commission not being penny wise and pound foolish in that regard? In a number of years, will one of the lines on the tour…
I thank the Member for his question. The Assembly Commission takes its responsibility to maintain this historic Building extremely seriously. As Parliament Buildings is a grade A listed building, there are strict guidelines governing how cleaning, repairs and other maintenance works are carried out. The first step in…