§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what additional duties will be the responsibility of the Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly as a result of the recent resignation of the Speaker. [160618]
§ Mr. SpellarSection 39(4) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 provides that when the office of Speaker (Presiding Officer) is vacant, his functions may be exercised by a deputy. The functions of the Speaker may therefore be exercised by a Deputy Speaker, following the resignation of Lord Alderdice. During suspension those functions are confined to those arising under the provisions of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, and relate principally to the resignation of members of the Assembly, and the notification of vacancies.