MAKING A DIFFERENCE? THE ROLE OF STATUTORY COMMITTEES IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

D. OSBORNE, ROBERT

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, n.º 2/2002, pág. 283

This paper seeks to examine some aspects of the early operation of the Northern Ireland Assembly and in particular the role of the Statutory Committees. The particular issue that is used to explore these matters is the review of student finances which the Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee (HFETEC) undertook as its first major investigation. It should be noted here that the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Emplyment changed its name to the Department of Employment and Learning during 2000. The committee also changed its name to the Employment and Learning Committee. Since the issues discussed took place prior to these changes the original name has been used here. Specifically, the paper examines the Review of Student Finances launched by the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, how the committee tackled the issue, tensions within the committee, the relationship between the Committee and the Minister, between the Minister and the Department, the public debate, how the Committee Report was subsequently dealt with in the Assembly and the Ministers response. It is suggested that this example provides some insights into the operation of the distinctive devolved institutions in Northern Ireland and some early evidence of how such Statutory Committees may develop.