Public asked for views on future of NI Assembly

The secretary of state is inviting members of the public to have their say about the future shape of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The consultation, which was announced by Owen Paterson, runs until 23 October and focuses on four key areas.

It seeks views on improving the operation of the assembly and the prospect of reducing the number of MLAs from the current 108.

There are other suggestions such as ending double-jobbing.

This would mean MLAs would be unable to sit in either Westminster or the House of Lords.

Other ideas open for the public to comment on, include developing an opposition so there is greater scrutiny, and increasing the term from four to five years.

The next assembly election is due in 2015, so increasing the length of the mandate would mean no election until 2016.

This would be in line with plans for Scotland and Wales, and it is favoured by political parties.