Towards a functioning Assembly? 

How well has the Northern Ireland Assembly been doing its job? Dr Sean Haughey provides a video workshop discussing this topic, helpful for A level Politics students who are looking at political systems in the UK and for students in Northern Ireland taking the CCEA A level.

Watch the video and try discussing the following questions in class when Dr Haughey recommends pausing the video:

• What are legislatures for? What is the job of a parliament?
• Why do you think certain parties have chosen not to leave the Northern Ireland Executive in order to form an official Opposition?
• Is the Northern Ireland Assembly a fair representation of Northern Ireland society?

Activity 

Download and read this free article: Haughey, S. (2020), Back to Stormont: The New Decade, New Approach Agreement and What it Means for Northern Ireland. The Political Quarterly, 91: 134-140.

After reading the article discuss in class:

• What problems have been identified in the New Decade, New Approach Agreement?
• And what solutions have been agreed?