Lord Empey has tabled an amendment to the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which would enable the Secretary of State to introduce opposition rights to the Assembly. 

The Ulster Unionist Peer said: 

“Ulster Unionists have long sought to see a provision for an Opposition at Stormont as part of our journey to political normality.  With the present stalemate at Stormont, we think this is the right time to move forward with a positive contribution to strengthen our democracy. 

“This proposal has no effect on any party's rights; rather it will provide greater opportunities for MLAs to hold the Executive to account.  If a party does not wish to be in the Executive but also decides not to be an Opposition party then that is up to them. The request to implement these proposals must come from the Assembly to the Secretary of State who will then have six months to comply.  Assembly standing orders will also have to be amended. 

“The reason for having this in primary legislation is to ensure that the Opposition at Stormont would be protected from the parties of the Executive, because those parties could revoke standing orders again if they did not like what an Opposition was doing.  The powers of Ministers are enshrined in primary legislation so therefore so should the status of an Opposition. 

“The proposals provide for a party to approach the Speaker if it wishes to have Opposition status.  Such status would give that party some speaking rights as well as the opportunity to have supply day debates.   Also, Opposition parties would expect to fill the posts of Chair and Deputy Chair of the Public Accounts Committee. These rights would have to be in proportion to the size of the party or parties concerned.

Notes: The Committee stage of the NI (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will take place on 3rd & 5th February when this and other amendments will be discussed.

The amendment can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/2013-2014/0058/amend/am058-b.htm