Hello and welcome to Assembly Extra.
On today's programme we find out how to contact your MLA and take a look at some of the fabulous
artwork on display here in the Great Hall this summer.
But first up, we're off to the Balmoral Show.
Although the weather at last month's Balmoral Show was wet and windy, it did nothing to
stamp on the spurts of the Assembly committee members or many of the visitors who attended.
Finding out what issues really matter to local people and what can be done to make a real
difference is the reason why MLA's and committee's get out and meet stakeholder groups and
concerned organisations.
I think it's very important for one, to get an opportunity to talk to stakeholders where
they are, not for them to have to come to us.
I think the surroundings as we can see particularly in the Balmoral Show are much less formal
and actually then have an opportunity to walk through the grounds and chat to ordinary members
of the public as well as the particular stakeholders.
A lot of our work is actually perceived as being that that takes place in the chamber
and the clips that are on the news where in fact a lot of the work goes on in committee.
The OFM, DFM, Agriculture and Environment Committees took their work to the Balmoral
Show and used the opportunity to focus on issues of concern to the rural community.
The committee for the First and Deputy First Minister discussed the development of the
Mayas-Longkesh site.
The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development welcomed MEP Jim Nicholson's briefing on
agriculture priorities within the EU and the Environment Committee event was packed with
stakeholders all wanting to have their say on the potential impact of national parks in
Northern Ireland.
The show gave committees the opportunity to speak to many people across the agriculture
community from farmers, rural business owners and young people.
It's vitally important that we get out and meet our people, meet our public and to find
out the real issues that are affecting the agriculture industry at this time.
No better place to do that than the Balmoral Show.
So it's great to be here, it's great to hear from all the sectors, all the different industries
within agriculture and it's very, very good that we're seen to be there listening to their
needs also.
But for those who were simply there to enjoy a day out, staff were on hand at the Assembly
Information Stand to answer questions and give details on constituencies, MLAs, Parliament
buildings and the work of committees.
Meeting and talking with people at the show gave committees and the Assembly an opportunity
to explain the work they do on behalf of all of the people of Northern Ireland as well
as encourage those people to get involved.
You can get involved with the work of the Assembly and its committees too.
Come to Parliament buildings to watch plenary or a committee meeting, check the website
for current consultations and give your views on issues that matter to you or talk to your
local MLAs.
Keep watching and in the next section we show you who they are and how you can contact them.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has 108 MLAs, six from each of the 18 constituencies across
Northern Ireland.
While the role of an MLA is varied, their main function is to represent the concerns
and issues of their constituents in the Assembly.
In plenary debates and at a committee level, your MLA will be involved in debating, proposing
and considering new legislation and importantly in highlighting the issues that matter to you.
As part of their work and committees, MLAs will often hold stakeholder events.
This is an opportunity for representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors
to meet directly with members to help inform committee reports and enquiries.
The information gathered can often be used to assist in shaping public policy and legislation.
So first things first, if you want to contact your MLA, one of the best places to start is
on the Northern Ireland Assembly website.
In the your MLA section, you will find profiles for all 108 MLAs and you can search by surname,
by party, constituency or by committee.
Once you have found your MLAs, you can find out more about the offices they hold in the
Assembly, the committees they sit on and the issues they're passionate about.
This can often be helpful if you want to find an MLA with a particular interest or cause.
Each MLA profile also lists those all important contact details including telephone numbers,
email addresses and the address of your local constituency office.
Many MLAs also use social media as a way to stay in touch with constituents and to let
you know what they are doing.
Our website has links to individual MLA Facebook and Twitter accounts so you can communicate
directly and highlight the issues you want them to know about.
When not attending Assembly debates and committee meetings, MLAs are in their constituency offices,
meeting local people and hearing their concerns on everything from housing to healthcare.
Now you know how to contact your MLAs, the next step is to get in touch and arrange an
appointment either with your MLA or a member of their constituency staff.
As well as providing personal advice and support, MLAs will often take your concerns right to
the floor of the Assembly.
They can do this by highlighting matters through private members or committee business, during
an adjournment debate, by bringing forward a private members bill or by raising an issue
during a committee meeting.
Find out more about the work of your MLAs and how they represent you on our website or
by fisting Parliament Buildings.
Open to the public, the Great Hall is the most richly decorated part of Parliament Buildings,
from the design and the marble to the intricate pattern painted on the ceiling, and as such
it is the perfect place to display art.
As to the Assembly Commission's exhibition policy, the walls of the Great Hall have been
adorned with paintings, posters and artwork showcasing the wonderful talent of our local
artists.
The Great Hall has already hosted some wonderful exhibitions, including a colourful children's
art competition, themed around my world and the Titanic, as well as a vibrant display of
murals entitled Hands Across the World, celebrating cultural diversity.
The Great Hall is currently hosting Morris Oar's Fine Art Project, the Screaming Silence
of the Wind, as part of a project entitled Unlimited.
A partnership between the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad and the Arts Council, the project
celebrates disability, arts, culture and sport.
It includes pieces of art created by disabled and deaf artists that convey ideas through
sight, music and touch.
In August, a new exhibition will showcase a collection of iconic and symbolic posters,
working the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The posters capture the spirit of the games and were commissioned by each host city since
1912.
So why not come up to Parliament buildings and have a look for yourself?
Take a tour, enjoy the art and have a coffee.
During the summer months, the building is open between 10 and 4, and the tours are available
on the air between 10am and 3pm.
Well that's it from Assembly Extra for the summer.
We'll be back in the autumn with lots more news and features, but in the meantime you
can keep up with what's happening here on the hill, on Facebook and on Twitter.
