Gerardine Blee

1. How to Approach Political Committees and
Communicate With Them Effectively - a
Northern Ireland Perspective
Gerardine Blee

2. Background
• Bsc Econ Information and Library Studies 2004, University of Wales,
Aberystwyth
• Queen’s University Belfast 2004-2007, Library Assistant
• Citizens Advice 2007-2009, Information Officer
• March 2009 – May 2015 – Employed at the Northern Ireland Assembly as
Research Librarian and then Outreach Officer
• June 2015 – CILIP Development Officer, Northern Ireland and Wales

3. What is a Committee?
• Three types of Committee
– Mandatory
– Subject
– Private Bill Committees
• Most committees currently have between seven and nine members.
• Members are selected with regard to the balance of political parties in the
Parliament

4. Role of Committees
“The general function of a committee is to consider
matters within its remit – competent matters – and
report on them to the Parliament”.
Standing Orders of the Scottish Parliament; Rule 6.2 Functions of all Committees

5. Role of Committees
Standing Orders of the Scottish Parliament Rule 6.2 sets out in more detail
what this can involve. It includes:
• conducting inquiries;
• scrutinising the policy and administration of the Scottish Government;
• scrutinising Bills, statutory instruments, proposals for European
Communities legislation or other proposals to change the law;
• initiating a Committee Bill or considering the need for reform of the law;
• considering the financial proposals and financial administration of the
Scottish Government.

6. Communicating with Committees
• Look at Forward Work Programme/End of Session reports on website and
see if your issue fits in with forthcoming briefings.
• View Committee meetings
• Read Committee/departmental publications
• Write to the Committee with your specific policy issue.

7. Communicating with Committees
• Express interest and/or attend stakeholder events
• Write to the Convener/Chair or Committee Clerk
• Speak to your local MSPs – they will generally have party colleagues on the
Committee and can liaise with them on your behalf

8. Committee Inquiries
• Committee agrees an issue for inquiry and the Clerk draw up terms of
reference to be agreed by the Committee
• Committee issues a call for evidence
• On receiving the written submissions, the Clerk will summarise and
present recommendations to the Committee on who to call for oral
evidence.
• The Clerk will issue formal invitations to witnesses. A wide range of views
will be sought.

9. What do Committees do?
• Gather Evidence - Committees can take evidence by email or letter, or
they can invite witnesses to give evidence in person
• Petitions - Petitions can be submitted by individuals and groups who want
to raise an issue.
• Inquiries - An inquiry is an important means of holding the Scottish
Government to account by scrutinising, in detail, its policy and
administration.

10. Communicating effectively
• Be Strategic
• Stick to the point
• Use reason and logic
• Use direct and simple language

11. Responding to call for evidence
• Be concise and straightforward
• Be correct and complete
• Make it clear what you support and what you don’t
• Get it in on time!