Mid Ulster MLA honoured to be elected deputy speaker of Northern Ireland Assembly

Mid Ulster SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone said he feels honoured to have been elected as deputy speaker of Northern Ireland's new assembly.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th May 2016, 12:49 BST
Updated 16th May 2016, 13:56 BST
Patsy McGlone MLA for Mid Ulster pictured at StormontPatsy McGlone MLA for Mid Ulster pictured at Stormont
Patsy McGlone MLA for Mid Ulster pictured at Stormont

Promising to be impartial and fair in the role, he was elected when the new Assembly sat for the first time on May 12.

Speaking about his new appointment, Mr McGlone said, “It is an honour to be elected as a deputy speaker of the new Assembly. It can be a challenging role and I will expect my fellow MLAs to engage in robust, but respectful, debate.

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“I look forward to taking on the role of Deputy Speaker in the new Assembly, and I will carry out the duties of the office in an impartial and fair manner.

“I would like to thank the party locally, and importantly the 6,209 people in Mid Ulster who voted for me on 5 May for placing their trust in me. I am indebted to them for putting me in the position where I could be considered for this role.”

The chief characteristics of the office of speaker are authority and impartiality in matters relating to the operation of the assembly.

Related topics:SDLPNorthern IrelandMLAs