Don’t know your All Party Assembly Groups from your All Party Groups? Don’t worry we have provided background information on who they are and what they do.
All Party Assembly Groups and All Party Groups provide a forum by which MLAs and outside organisations and individuals can meet to discuss shared interests in a particular cause or subject.
What is the difference between All Party Assembly Groups and All Party Groups?
Groups whose membership comprises of Assembly Members only are known as All Party Assembly Groups. Groups whose membership is open to both MLAs and non-MLAs are known as All Party Groups. Each Group must have at least 10 MLAs from all three designations must be represented.
Each Group will have a number of nominated officers:
- Chairperson
- Vice-Chairperson
- Secretary, and
- Treasurer
The Groups usually meet on a monthly basis (although this varies).
All Party Assembly Groups and All Party Groups must be registered with the Committee on Standards and Privileges in order to use certain Assembly privileges (eg booking of rooms etc).
A Register of All Party Assembly Groups/All Party Groups is compiled and maintained by the Clerk of Standards. The main purpose of the Register is to record:
- which All Party Assembly Groups/All Party Groups are recognised by the Assembly
- who their officers are, and
- details of any assistance the Group may receive from outside the Assembly.
