The Control of Donations and Regulation of Loans etc. (Extension of the Prescribed Period) (Northern Ireland) Order 2013

Draft Order laid before Parliament under section 14(6) of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 and article 5(6) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (Regulation of Loans etc: Northern Ireland) Order 2008, for approval by resolution of each House of Parliament.

Draft Statutory Instruments

2013 No.

Political Parties, Northern Ireland

The Control of Donations and Regulation of Loans etc. (Extension of the Prescribed Period) (Northern Ireland) Order 2013

Made

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Coming into force

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In accordance with article 5(3) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (Regulation of Loans etc: Northern Ireland) Order 2008 the Electoral Commission has been consulted prior to the making of this Order.

A draft of this Order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament in accordance with section 14(6) of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 and article 5(6) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (Regulation of Loans etc: Northern Ireland) Order 2008.

Accordingly, the Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 14(3) of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 and article 5(3) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (Regulation of Loans etc: Northern Ireland) Order 2008, makes the following Order:

Citation and commencement

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Control of Donations and Regulation of Loans etc. (Extension of the Prescribed Period) (Northern Ireland) Order 2013.

(2) It comes into force on 28th February 2013.

Amendment of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006

2.  In section 14(2)(b) of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006(1), for “28th February 2013” substitute “30th September 2014”.

Amendment of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (Regulation of Loans etc: Northern Ireland) Order 2008

3.  In article 5(2)(b) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (Regulation of Loans etc: Northern Ireland) Order 2008(2), for “28th February 2013” substitute “30th September 2014”.

Name

Minister of State

Northern Ireland Office

Date

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

Special provisions apply in relation to the disclosure and publication by the Electoral Commission of loans and donations made to political parties and other regulated recipients (such as members of political parties and holders of elective office) in Northern Ireland. The provisions apply for the duration of the period prescribed in the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (“2006 Act”) (in relation to donations) and the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (Regulation of Loans etc: Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (“2008 Order”) (in relation to loans and regulated transactions within the meaning of the Electoral Administration Act 2006).

The period currently prescribed in both the 2006 Act and the 2008 Order expires on 28th February 2013 but may be extended by Order by the Secretary of State. It was extended for a period of two years in March 2011. The prescribed period in both the 2006 Act and the 2008 Order will be extended for a further period of nineteen months expiring on 30th September 2014. This Order therefore makes the relevant amendments to the 2006 Act and the 2008 Order. Article 2 amends the 2006 Act substituting 30th September 2014 for 28th February 2013 in the provision which describes the prescribed period and article 3 makes the same amendment to the 2008 Order.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.

(1)

2006 c. 33; section 14(2) was amended by article 2 of S.I. 2010/2061 and by article 2 of S.I. 2011/431. Other amendments made to the Act are not relevant to this Order.

(2)

S.I. 2008/1319; article 5(2) was amended by article 3 of S.I. 2010/2061 and by article 3 of S.I. 2011/431.