Which committee examines the bills line by line?

The statutory committees play a crucial role in the legislative process within the context of Northern Ireland's Assembly. These committees are established to scrutinize the work of government departments and are tasked with examining legislation in detail. When a bill is presented, the statutory committees have the authority to analyze it line by line, which allows them to ensure that every aspect of the proposed legislation is carefully considered. This process helps to maintain accountability, transparency, and thoroughness in legislative procedures.

Statutory committees consist of members from different political parties, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and opinions are represented throughout the examination of bills. Their detailed work is fundamental to shaping the laws that govern society, as they can propose amendments, highlight potential issues, and engage with stakeholders on relevant matters prior to the bill's final presentation to the Assembly. This comprehensive examination is vital for good governance and helps to uphold democratic principles within the legislative framework.

In contrast, other committees such as the finance committee, oversight committee, and judiciary committee serve different functions that do not involve the direct line-by-line examination of bills. The finance committee focuses on budgetary matters, the oversight committee is concerned with monitoring and evaluating the performance of public bodies, and the judiciary committee deals primarily with legal and constitutional issues, rather