Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly
The speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly is the presiding officer of the Northern Ireland Assembly, elected on a cross-community vote by the Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly. A principal deputy speaker and two deputy speakers are elected to help fulfil the role. The office of Speaker is currently held by the MLA for Belfast South Edwin Poots of the Democratic Unionist Party.
Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Image: Edwin Poots, 2013 (cropped)
Image: Carál Ní Chuilín (cropped)
Image: John Blair MLA
The speaker of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body, is its presiding officer, or the chair. The title was first used in 1377 in England.
Speakers and presiding officers from various Commonwealth nations meet for a Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference in Wellington, New Zealand, 1984
Marshal's chair in the Sejm, lower chamber of the Polish Parliament
Ths Speaker's Chair in the UK House of Commons (19th century photograph)