Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Encyclopedia
The Northern Ireland Grand Committee is one of three such grand committee
s in the United Kingdom Parliament. The other two are for Scotland
and Wales
. The membership of the committee includes all participating Northern Irish MPs as well as up to 25 other MPs who are nominated by the Committee of Selection.
The purpose of the committee is to read bills that are relevant to Northern Ireland before their second or third readings in Parliament. It also provides an opportunity for MPs to question ministers, debate current matters and for ministers to make statements. There are between three and six committee meetings per year.
Until recently, unlike its Scottish and Welsh counterparts, the Northern Ireland Grand Committee met at Westminster
and never in Northern Ireland
. However, the Democratic Unionist Party
pressed for a meeting to take place in the province itself . The government agreed, and in December 2006 the first and so far only local meeting of the committee took place in the council
chamber at Belfast City Hall
.
Grand committee
- In Finland :The Grand Committee is a committee of the Parliament of Finland. It has special tasks related to Finland's membership in the European Union. It formulates the opinion of the parliament in questions of EU legislation...
s in the United Kingdom Parliament. The other two are for Scotland
Scottish Grand Committee
The Scottish Grand Committee is a committee of the House of Commons. It is not a select committee , but rather a grand committee composed of all 59 Scottish MPs ....
and Wales
Welsh Grand Committee
The Welsh Grand Committee is a committee of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
. The membership of the committee includes all participating Northern Irish MPs as well as up to 25 other MPs who are nominated by the Committee of Selection.
The purpose of the committee is to read bills that are relevant to Northern Ireland before their second or third readings in Parliament. It also provides an opportunity for MPs to question ministers, debate current matters and for ministers to make statements. There are between three and six committee meetings per year.
Until recently, unlike its Scottish and Welsh counterparts, the Northern Ireland Grand Committee met at Westminster
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Lords and the House of Commons...
and never in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. However, the Democratic Unionist Party
Democratic Unionist Party
The Democratic Unionist Party is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. Founded by Ian Paisley and currently led by Peter Robinson, it is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the fourth-largest party in the House of Commons of the...
pressed for a meeting to take place in the province itself . The government agreed, and in December 2006 the first and so far only local meeting of the committee took place in the council
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Council is the local authority with responsibility for the city of Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The Council serves an estimated population of , the largest of any district council in Northern Ireland, while also being the fourth smallest by area...
chamber at Belfast City Hall
Belfast City Hall
Belfast City Hall is the civic building of the Belfast City Council. Located in Donegall Square, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, it faces north and effectively divides the commercial and business areas of the city centre.-History:...
.