Politicians seeking an extra year on the hill

POLITICIANS want to extend the Assembly mandate until 2016 - introducing a five year term for the first time. Under the Northern Ireland Act 1998 - the law arising from the multi-party Belfast Agreement - elections to the Assembly are supposed to take place every four years. If an extension takes place the next election campaign will likely take place as republicans commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising.

Former UUP leader Tom Elliott asked First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness for their assessment of an extension to the current Assembly mandate.

They jointly replied: “The proposal to extend the current Assembly term to 2016 will bring us into line with the arrangements for Scotland and Wales and will avoid the poll being held on the same day as the next scheduled Westminster election.”