ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a detailed empirical assessment of the Assembly’s policy-making role. To do so, it examines the inputs to and outputs from the legislative processes of the fourth (2011–16) and sixth (2017–22) assemblies. Examining the source and outcome of 133 bills, the chapter shows that whilst the majority of bills emanate from the Executive, there has been a steady rise in the number of non-executive bills, mostly in the form of Private Members’ Bills, introduced and enacted over time. The modest success of these non-executive bills, some of which deal with significant policy questions, is suggestive of a legislature which is growing in policy power. The impact of the Assembly on executive legislation is then gauged by analysing 2,463 amendments to executive bills. This shows that whilst most amendments are sponsored by ministers, the contribution of the Assembly via amendments is not insignificant – and is also growing. Although they cannot directly amend legislation, documentary analysis reveals statutory committees to be important policy actors, often convincing ministers to amend their own bills. Overall, contrary to what some might expect in a consociation, the findings are not suggestive of a legislature which is peripheral in policy-making.
