AQW 15535/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 23/09/2024
Answered On Date: 08/10/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Assembly Commission (i) for an update on its work to establish an independent panel to review MLA salaries; and (ii) whether this panel will be required to review and compare the remuneration of Statutory Committees and Standing Committees with other devolved regions, to include a review of remuneration for chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of Standing Committees.

Answer:

Following the resumption of normal Assembly business and the reconstitution of the Assembly Commission in February 2024, the Assembly Commission has considered the detail of a draft Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill at a number of meetings and asked for further papers and advice from officials. The Assembly Commission is scheduled to have a further discussion about the draft Bill and the timing of its potential introduction at its next meeting.

As part of these discussions, the Assembly Commission is giving consideration to the merits of benchmarking the position at the Assembly in relation to all salaries and allowances with other relevant institutions.