Menu
24/11/2009
'Double Jobbing' To End By 2015
Northern Ireland Assembly members have voted to phase out so-called 'double jobbing' within five years.
An earlier motion by the Ulster Unionists to end the practice by 2011 failed to gain necessary support.
Many politicians in the province hold more than one electoral mandate. Around two thirds of the 108 strong Assembly are currently sitting councillors.
Sixteen of Northern Ireland's 18 Westminster MPs are also MLAs.
The UUP's David McNarry last night said this was no longer acceptable.
Amid counter accusations of hypocrisy between the UUP and Democratic Unionists, a DUP amendment to to phase out the practice by 2015 won 34 votes to 23.
DUP members said the UUP was content to participate in 'double jobbing' back when it held more Parliamentary seats. At present the UUP has only one MP, Lady Hermon in North Down. The DUP has nine MPs, all of whom are Assembly members.
Peter Robinson and Sammy Wilson also hold Executive ministerial posts.
Progressive Unionist leader, and the party's sole MLA, Dawn Purvis lent her support to the UUP.
She said there was no reason why 'double jobbing' could not end at the closure of the next Assembly term.
"I think the extent to which this assembly has debated the issue of multiple mandates without actually doing anything about it is comical," said Ms Purvis.
"I agree wholly with the authors of this motion that multiple mandates need to come to an end by the 2011 assembly elections and that the political parties in this province need to start preparing for that deadline."
(PR/GK)
An earlier motion by the Ulster Unionists to end the practice by 2011 failed to gain necessary support.
Many politicians in the province hold more than one electoral mandate. Around two thirds of the 108 strong Assembly are currently sitting councillors.
Sixteen of Northern Ireland's 18 Westminster MPs are also MLAs.
The UUP's David McNarry last night said this was no longer acceptable.
Amid counter accusations of hypocrisy between the UUP and Democratic Unionists, a DUP amendment to to phase out the practice by 2015 won 34 votes to 23.
DUP members said the UUP was content to participate in 'double jobbing' back when it held more Parliamentary seats. At present the UUP has only one MP, Lady Hermon in North Down. The DUP has nine MPs, all of whom are Assembly members.
Peter Robinson and Sammy Wilson also hold Executive ministerial posts.
Progressive Unionist leader, and the party's sole MLA, Dawn Purvis lent her support to the UUP.
She said there was no reason why 'double jobbing' could not end at the closure of the next Assembly term.
"I think the extent to which this assembly has debated the issue of multiple mandates without actually doing anything about it is comical," said Ms Purvis.
"I agree wholly with the authors of this motion that multiple mandates need to come to an end by the 2011 assembly elections and that the political parties in this province need to start preparing for that deadline."
(PR/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 December 2009
'End Double Jobbing Pay': Tories
A future UK Tory government would eliminate the possibility of Northern Ireland politicians collecting two salaries while holding dual mandates. So-called 'double jobbing' has become a hot topic at Stormont, with pledges from the main parties on the issues. Many politicians in the province hold more than one electoral mandate.
'End Double Jobbing Pay': Tories
A future UK Tory government would eliminate the possibility of Northern Ireland politicians collecting two salaries while holding dual mandates. So-called 'double jobbing' has become a hot topic at Stormont, with pledges from the main parties on the issues. Many politicians in the province hold more than one electoral mandate.
17 May 2002
Savage calls for action on rising rural crime
UUP assembly member George Savage has called for a major awareness campaign in the rural community to alert people to what he described as a "rising tide" of organised crime.
Savage calls for action on rising rural crime
UUP assembly member George Savage has called for a major awareness campaign in the rural community to alert people to what he described as a "rising tide" of organised crime.
05 March 2010
UUP MLAs Hold Justice Meeting
Ulster Unionist Assembly members will meet later to discuss their approach to the Hillsborough Castle Agreement. So far the party has refused to publicly support the accord. The devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Belfast has proved one of the most contentious issues to affect the Stormont government.
UUP MLAs Hold Justice Meeting
Ulster Unionist Assembly members will meet later to discuss their approach to the Hillsborough Castle Agreement. So far the party has refused to publicly support the accord. The devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Belfast has proved one of the most contentious issues to affect the Stormont government.
12 February 2013
Bill To End Stormont 'Double-Jobbing'
A new bill could see the end of 'double-jobbing' by MPs at Stormont. If passed, the new law would mean Assembly members would not be allowed to work as Members of Parliament at the same time after 2015. A draft law to that effect was published on Monday by NI Secretary of State Theresa Villiers.
Bill To End Stormont 'Double-Jobbing'
A new bill could see the end of 'double-jobbing' by MPs at Stormont. If passed, the new law would mean Assembly members would not be allowed to work as Members of Parliament at the same time after 2015. A draft law to that effect was published on Monday by NI Secretary of State Theresa Villiers.
20 January 2022
Proposal To Reintroduce 'Double Jobbing' Withdrawn
A proposal to reintroduce so-called 'double jobbing' – where MP's are allowed to be elected as MLAs and hold both jobs at the same time – have reportedly been scrapped.
Proposal To Reintroduce 'Double Jobbing' Withdrawn
A proposal to reintroduce so-called 'double jobbing' – where MP's are allowed to be elected as MLAs and hold both jobs at the same time – have reportedly been scrapped.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
