8
The most fundamental reason for consulting in
formulating policy is to help develop solutions
which will work and gain acceptance in practice.
participants with diverse interests together over a two to three day period to develop a common
agenda for action.
Consultation with Assembly Committees
8.8 The role of departmental Assembly Committees
is a very distinctive aspect of the policy-making process under devolution in Northern Ireland.
More detail on the role of the Committees is set out in Annex A. In formulating policy, Ministers and
departments should develop an open, transparent and inclusive approach to their departmental
Assembly Committee, and take account of the Committees views. Ministers and departments
should regularly advise their Committee of major issues under consideration in the department and
include the Committee in any public consultation exercise. The Committee should be advised of
emerging issues and forthcoming policy reviews at an early stage so that it has the opportunity to
contribute to policy formulation in advance of public consultation if it so wishes, or indeed to
plan its work programme so that it can support policy work being undertaken by the Department.
Further advice on the role of Committees in the policy-making and legislative processes will be
contained in the Departmental Guidance on Relationships with Committees.
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Consultation with the Civic Forum
8.9 The Civic Forum is keen to engage with the administration, particularly on cross-
cutting strategic issues. The Forum agrees its annual work programme with the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. If you have an issue on
which you wish to consult the Forum, it is helpful to give notice as far in advance as possible to the Forums Secretariat.
Cooperation with the Northern Ireland Office and Whitehall Departments
8.10 In developing a policy initiative departments will need to consider if the proposed
policy, and any supporting legislation, has implications for the responsibilities of the Northern Ireland Office or other Whitehall departments. Where this is the
case consultation and liaison arrangements should be put in place: •
to alert the NIO or the appropriate Whitehall department as soon as practicable to relevant developments affecting their areas of responsibility,
wherever possible prior to publication; and •
to give appropriate consideration to their views.
8.11 Early engagement is also required with the NIO where the consideration of
