Election to fill the vacant position of Deputy Speaker and the Principal Deputy Speaker

• published: 20 Jan 2015
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Read the full transcript on our website: http://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/officialreport/report.aspx?&eveDate;=2015/01/20&docID;=219669 Mr Speaker: The next item of business is the election to fill the vacant position of Deputy Speaker. Before we commence, I would like to remind Members that the election of the Deputy Speaker will be conducted using the procedure set out in Standing Order 4. I will begin by asking for nominations. Any Member may rise to propose that another Member is elected Deputy Speaker. I will then ask for the proposal to be seconded by another Member, as required by Standing Order 14. If this occurs, I will then verify that the Member so nominated is willing to accept the nomination. There will not be an opportunity for speeches at that stage. I will then ask for further proposals and follow the same procedure for each. When it appears that there are no further proposals, I will make it clear that the time for proposals has passed. If Members indicate that they wish to speak for a debate relevant to the election, the debate may then take place in which no Member may speak more than once. At the conclusion of the debate, or of the nominations if there are no requests to speak, I will put the Question that the Member first proposed shall be a Deputy Speaker of this Assembly. The vote can only be carried on a cross-community basis. If the proposal is not carried, I will put the Question in relation to the next nominee, and so on, until all nominations are exhausted. Once a Deputy Speaker is elected, all other nominations will fall automatically. If that is clear, we will proceed. Do I have any proposals for the office of Deputy Speaker of this Assembly? Mr P Robinson: I propose Mr Robin Newton as a Deputy Speaker. Mr Speaker: Is there a Member to second the nomination? Mr Weir: I second the nomination. Mr Speaker: Will the Member accept the nomination to be a Deputy Speaker? Mr Newton: I will, Mr Speaker.