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Question

Difficulty: HardDevolved Powers in Northern Ireland

The division of responsibilities between the UK Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly separates policy into transferred, reserved, and excepted matters. Which of the following sets contains only "transferred matters" for which the Northern Ireland Assembly (Stormont) has full legislative power?

  1. A
    Health services, agriculture, and national security
  2. Agriculture, the environment, and social servicesAnswer
  3. C
    Education, health services, and immigration
  4. D
    Social services, the environment, and foreign policy

Answer

The set containing agriculture, the environment, and social services correctly identifies only transferred matters.
The Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont has the power to legislate on 'transferred matters'. These include internal policy areas such as agriculture, the environment, health services, social services, and education. Since all three items in the set stating 'agriculture, the environment, and social services' are transferred matters, it is the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the definition of 'transferred matters' in the context of Northern Ireland devolution.
Transferred matters are policy areas where the Northern Ireland Assembly has the authority to make laws.
The question asks for powers that are fully devolved (transferred) to the Assembly.
2
Categorize the policy areas mentioned in the options as either devolved or reserved/excepted.
Devolved: Health, Education, Agriculture, Environment, Social Services. Reserved/Excepted: National Security, Immigration, Foreign Policy, Defense.
Distinguishing between these categories is essential for identifying the correct legislative competence.
3
Evaluate each set of three policy areas to find the one where all items are devolved.
The combination of agriculture, the environment, and social services contains no reserved or excepted matters.
The presence of a single reserved or excepted matter in a set makes that option incorrect.

Key Concept

Legislative Competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Practice More

Review the full list of transferred vs. excepted matters for Northern Ireland to prepare for nuanced exam questions.
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Devolved Powers in Northern Ireland