2. This is your first question out of 4 on your AS1 paper
It is an IDENTIFY question and is based on knowledge
It will ask you to IDENTIFY TWO things.
It DOES NOT require the use of the ITEM (Source)
Set aside 5 MINUTES to answer this question minute thinking time and 2 minutes for each
Think about it first before writing anything down. Marks are lost by rushing into answers without thinking about the answer.
Focus on the question and get directly to the point. It doesn’t need an introduction.
Try to get TWO mini paragraphs (about 3-4 lines each) Focus each paragraph on a separate point
To maximise marks just NAME and EXPLAIN
Count your marks to finish

3. Identify TWO areas of disagreement within the Executive Committee
REMEMBER:
The “Executive Committee” is simply the NI Executive
Identify TWO areas of disagreement within the Executive Committee
MAZE PRISON DUP was opposed to redevelopment into sports stadium/ leisure complex but with Hunger strike memorial. SF were opposed to any development without it. The development ceased altogether
BREXIT – DUP were in favour of BREXIT. SDLP / SF, UUP and Alliance all opposed it. There is disagreement over how to progress with negotiations and involvement in an all Ireland discussion on post Brexit options
GAY MARRIAGE DUP has opposed Gay marriage and has used the Petition of concern to oppose its introduction. The other parties have been in favour – some more so than others
WELFARE REFORM – Unionist parties were in favour and SDLP / SF opposed it until Fresh Start agreement
FRESH START The Fresh start agreement was pieced together by the DUP and SF as a side deal. Other parties in the then Executive were not involved – leading to the SDLP and UUP coming out of the Executive and forming an opposition
SOME IDEAS
FIRSTLY, The Executive had fallen out bitterly over the introduction of the Welfare Reform act to Northern Ireland. The DUP and UUP were broadly in favour of this while the SDLP and SF were against it. This caused an expensive stand off which lasted until the Fresh Start agreement recently.
SECONDLY, The Executive were deeply divided over their approach to Brexit. This has lasted from before the referendum in June to the fall out over a post Brexit Northern Ireland and how to approach it. The DUP were in favour of Brexit and continue to support this while the other parties opposed it and are divided over how Northern Ireland should fare post Brexit.

4. Identify TWO ways a committee can scrutinise
LEGISLATIVE They can work out amendments on legislation going through – Taxi bill had over 70 amendments accepted by the Assembly
INQUIRIES – They can scrutinise various issues in local communities to work out better policy: Example: Suicide awareness inquiry
CALL FOR PERSONS AND PAPERS – They can compel witnesses to attend and they can question them – Example – NI Water
QUESTIONS They can question the Minister on their conduct Example : Emma Pengelly Head of Finance committee questioned Mairtin O’Mulleior over NAMA coaching allegations
SOME IDEAS
FIRSTLY, The Committees have the power to Call for Persons and Papers. This gives them the power to compel witnesses to attend and be questioned. An example was the Head of NI Water being questioned following poor performance after a heavy cold spell in 2010
SECONDLY, Committees can scrutinise legislative bills with the aim of making them better. The Environment committee added up to 70 amendments to the Taxi bill, all of which were subsequently passed.

5. Identify TWO ways power sharing is protected in the Assembly
CROSS COMMUNITY VOTE – On certain issues a Cross Community vote is called. This has to have the support of over 40% of Unionists and nationalists in the Chamber
D’HONDT The D’hondt allocations of seats using the formula allows seats and positions to be allocated fairly in the Executive and Committees
PETITIONS OF CONCERN – These are effectively a community veto allowing a decision to be stopped in the Assembly following a petition from 30 MLA’s
FIRST AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTERS These positions are chosen from the largest nationalist and unionist parties – They are supposed to cooperate and work together in the interests of both communities.
SOME IDEAS
FIRSTLY, petitions of concern can be used to block an Assembly issue if it has the support of over 30 MLA’s This effectively puts the brakes on any project. Examples would be the DUP rejection of gay marriage.
SECONDLY, The First and Deputy First Ministers are drawn from the largest nationalist and unionist party following the election. They both have equal powers.

6. Identify two features of the 1998 Belfast Agreement (GFA)
Identify two features of the 2007 St Andrews Agreement.
Identify two features of the 2014/15 Stormont House / Fresh Start Agreement
Identify two features of consociational government (power sharing)
Identify two strengths / weaknesses of the Single Transferable Vote electoral system.
Identify two strengths / weaknesses of the First Past the Post electoral system.
Identify two features of cross-community power-sharing.
Identify two functions of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Identify two functions of the Speaker in the NI Assembly
Identify two types of legislation.
Identify two matters transferred to the devolved NI Assembly
Identify two ways MLAs can fulfil their representative role
Identify two ways MLAs can fulfil their legislative role
Identify two stages of the legislative process
Identify two ways MLAs can fulfil their scrutiny role

7. Identify two types of question asked in the Assembly
Identify two types of debates in the Assembly
Identify two types of Assembly committees
Identify two types of Standing Committees
Identify two strengths / weaknesses / powers/ functions of statutory committees.
Identify two criticisms of how MLAs carry out their functions
Identify two areas of disagreement within the Executive Committee.
Identify two areas of agreement within the Executive Committee.
Identify two areas were the DUP and Sinn Fein have overcome their differences.
Identify two ways in which the UUP / SDLP have attempted to reverse their decline.
Identify two reasons for the decline of the UUP / SDLP
Identify two reasons for the dominance of the DUP / SF over the UUP / SDLP
Identify two DUP/SF/SDLP/UUP/AP polices