How many times was the Petition of Concern utilized?

The Petition of Concern has been a significant mechanism within the Northern Ireland Assembly, primarily used to protect minority interests in decision-making processes. When the petition is lodged, it enables a specific group of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to request that a proposed law or issue be subjected to a higher threshold of support, ensuring that it requires backing from both nationalist and unionist communities.

The correct figure of 101 times refers to the number of occasions on which this mechanism has been utilized since the Assembly's establishment. This highlights the selective yet strategic nature of the petition, illustrating its role as a tool to foster cross-community consensus and to address the historical sensitivities surrounding governance in Northern Ireland.

The other options reflect numbers that are either too low or fail to represent the full utilization of this mechanism, demonstrating misconceptions about the frequency and context of its use in legislative processes. Understanding the significance of the Petition of Concern is crucial for grasping how political dynamics operate in Northern Ireland, particularly regarding communal representation and cooperation in a diverse political landscape.