asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is possible for the vote of a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly who has died to be exercised; if so, how; and since when this has been possible. [HL833]

Section 17 of the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006 provides that the Standing Orders of the Northern Ireland Assembly may include provision enabling a right to vote in the Assembly which could have been exercised but for a vacancy in the membership of the Assembly to be exercisable in such a manner as is so provided.

In relation to the transitional Assembly established by Section 1 of the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006, Standing Order 17(h) of the Transitional Assembly Standing Orders, provides that where a right to vote could have been exercised but for a vacancy in the membership of the transitional Assembly, the nominating officer (as defined in Standing Order 22(a)) of the party of the member that held the seat on the vacancy occurring shall be entitled to exercise that vote.