Concern Stormont MLAs delivering pre-scripted remarks for social media clips
Almost a year and a half since the Northern Ireland Assembly was restored, Mr Poots has written to MLAs about the standards of debate in the chamber.
He also made his points at the start of the plenary session on Tuesday.
Mr Poots, who has been elected to the Assembly for almost three decades, said he has witnessed 'political giants who passionately articulated their own case', but also engaged in debate and 'realised that they had to give as good as they could take'.
'Our standards of debate are often referred to in the context of the first element – the standard of remarks made about other members. However, there has been a decreased focus on the second element – the concept of debate,' he said.
'If the Assembly is to be serious about its scrutiny role, having a strong culture of parliamentary debate is vital.'
Mr Poots said requiring MLAs to take care in their language and have civility in exchanges 'is not intended to, and should not, prevent passionate and robust debate'.
'In my time in the Assembly since 1998, I have been privileged to witness political giants, who passionately articulated their own case, engaging in debate,' he said.
'However, they also realised that they had to give as good as they could take.
'The freedom to challenge and to express different views in debate are core to this Assembly's core functions of exercising scrutiny, holding ministers to account and representing our constituents.
'Proper debate is about both having the opportunity to state your own views and listening, responding to and challenging the views of others.
'Some members increasingly concentrate only on stating their own opinions.
'Technology has created a temptation for members to deliver a pre-scripted text in the Chamber, shortly after which they leave to issue a clip of their speech on social media.
'If debate was only about a series of members reading out pre-scripted thoughts on an issue, without interaction, there would be no need for an Assembly Chamber – we could do it by email.'
He added: 'I am also concerned about the tendency to raise Points of Order with the chair about the normal cut and thrust of debate, rather than challenge those points themselves.'
He went on to say he is expanding the Ten Practical Principles of Debate circulated in 2021 to 'ensure they focus not only on interactions between members, but also on having a strong culture of debate and challenge'.
'When the Assembly has responsibility for making legislation which impacts on people's lives, it is vital that members are able to probe all the arguments before the Assembly takes a decision,' he said.
'It is my role to encourage the conditions for members to be able to exercise effective scrutiny and accountability in the Chamber.
'I therefore ask all members to take the time to reflect on the principles I have set out in the attachment and to adhere to them in debate.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
An appeal to women and their loved ones to right a wrong
This year we, the politicians in Northern Ireland, have the opportunity to right a great wrong of the 20th century, imposed upon young women in mother and baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses between 1922 – 1995. We have launched an international appeal to victims and survivors of these institutions, asking for their views on legislation to establish a public inquiry and financial redress scheme. Both are aimed at addressing the terrible wrongs done to them during one of the most distressing and hurtful episodes in our history. The Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill was introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly in June 2025. Our scrutiny of it has begun and as part of our work, we are asking those who will be directly affected by the legislation to respond to an online consultation. We want as many as possible to have their say before it closes at the end of September. The consultation is available online here: but we can also email or post hard copies to anyone who is interested. Email us at: cteotrconsultation@ You can also contact the committee for the executive office by writing to us at: Room 247, Parliament Buildings, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT4 3XX. Kind regards, Paula Bradshaw MLA, Chairperson, committee for the executive office, Northern Ireland Assembly
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Stop the carnage: make cat owners keep their pets under control
Surely the time has come to stop people just throwing their pets out to look after themselves. Cats are born hunters, that's what they do. The trouble is the owners who allow their pets to cruelly kill their prey. The problem is the strong cat ownership lobby, and this appears to stop strong legislation taking place. It will have to be put in place in the future; why not now? In Australia roaming cats in certain states are banned after some species have become extinct. In the UK there would not be a problem if house cats were the norm. However, cat owners appear to be in denial and would support their right to allow their fluffy pets to kill whenever they can. Dog owners are duty-bound to keep their pets under control. Cat owners should be made to do the same. Matthew Sneddon, Bearsden. Read more letters Seeking to right NI wrongs I am trying to contact those women and their loved ones who have suffered great historical injustices in institutions in Northern Ireland. My appeal is to them right across the world (Neil Mackay: "Thought of what happened to my gran in a Magdalene Laundry haunts me" heraldscotland, August 3). This year we, the politicians in Northern Ireland, have the opportunity to right a great wrong of the 20th century, imposed upon young women in mother and baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses between 1922 and1995. We have launched an international appeal to victims and survivors of these institutions, asking for their views on legislation to establish a public inquiry and financial redress scheme. Both are aimed at addressing the terrible wrongs done to them during one of the most distressing and hurtful episodes in our history. The Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill was introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly in June 2025. Our scrutiny of it has begun and as part of our work, we are asking those who will be directly affected by the legislation to respond to an online consultation. We want as many as possible to have their say before it closes at the end of September. The consultation is available online here: but we can also email or post hard copies to anyone who is interested. Email us at: cteotrconsultation@ You can also contact the Committee for the Executive Office by writing to us at Room 247, Parliament Buildings, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT4 3XX. Paula Bradshaw MLA, Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office, Northern Ireland Assembly, Belfast. Teaching to the test I see that the old chestnut of 'teaching to the test' is raising its head again as the new head of the SQA takes up his role ("New chief executive backs reform of exams", The Herald, August 9). Would I be correct in thinking that a well-designed curriculum or course is defined by a set of suitable and appropriate criteria, stated as 'objectives', "content and skills', 'benchmarks' or whatever? If I am correct, I assume that these criteria will be tested, examined or assessed in some form and at agreed frequencies. I also assume, therefore, that teachers will focus on ensuring that they focus on the criteria and use an appropriate means to determine how well their students are meeting them. In my experience, able teachers have been following that arrangement for years. Therefore, if a course is well designed and includes relevant content and skills or processes – let's hope that the balance and interaction between them is sound – and the means of determining whether they are being taught, learned and achieved are agreed, then, essentially, are teachers not ' teaching to the test'? Why do we continue to use these emotive terms? Why not focus on ensuring that courses are well designed, include effective means to determine their success, and incorporate the best technology that is available? GPD Gordon, Bearsden. Mute the music, please I enjoy watching documentaries and factual programmes on my television. Three programmes in particular that I tried to watch recently were Humans, Parenthood and The Antiques Roadshow. These are beautifully-photographed, educational programmes and considerable research has gone into making them. Why then do we have to suffer orchestral music which has been added in an effort to enhance the show? This has the effect of taking over the programme, making the presenter's voice inaudible and has meant me having on numerous occasions to use the subtitles,which has the effect of blocking out some of the programme. I am fortunate to have reasonable hearing and good eyesight. I wish the producers of these programmes would take time to listen to their work and realise that we don't need an audio background to enhance them. Neil Stewart, Balfron. Is there anything wrong with teaching to the test? (Image: PA) Why did Berlin outscore us? As in previous years, The National Youth Orchestra of Scotland distinguished itself during a sell-out concert in Berlin's Konzerthaus last Wednesday (August 6). The audience response was impressive. The same programme had been performed in Scotland during the previous week where the audience was similarly appreciative, but sadly hugely depleted in numbers. I wish I could explain this discrepancy. David Rimer, Edinburgh. Running the gauntlet Your coverage of the Sandie Peggie tribunal has generated as much debate (online and offline) as I've ever come across in all the five decades I've been reading your newspaper. But it reminded me that as a young trainee in the late 1960s, I had to carry out the annual inspection of a large knitwear factory in Saltcoats in terms of the Factories Acts (staff welfare and the like). I always insisted the manager accompany me when I entered the women's changing area and toilets as I didn't want any of the (mostly female) workforce to actually do to me what their catcalls inferred. I had every right to go into these areas, but couldn't get out quick enough. How times have changed. John Crawford, Preston.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Australian PM reveals why he decided to recognise a Palestinian state
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for being in "denial" about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Australia announced its intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly, following other G20 members' openness to such recognition. This recognition is conditional on commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including no role for Hamas, demilitarisation of Gaza, and the holding of elections. Mr Netanyahu condemned Australia's decision as "shameful," while Israel 's ambassador to Australia claimed it undermines Israel's security. Mr Albanese stated that Israel's reluctance to listen to its allies contributed to Australia's decision, arguing that a two-state solution offers the best hope to end the conflict.
