Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998

61 Reports. N.I.

(1) The Ombudsman shall, at the request of the [F1 appropriate authority], report to the [F1 appropriate authority] on such matters relating generally to the functions of the Ombudsman as the [F1 appropriate authority] may specify, and the Ombudsman may for that purpose carry out research into any such matters.

(2) The Ombudsman may make a report to the [F1 appropriate authority] on any matters coming to the Ombudsman’s attention under this Part to which the Ombudsman considers that the [F2 appropriate authority’s] attention should be drawn in the public interest.

[F3 (2A) In subsections (1) and (2) “the appropriate authority” means, in relation to any matter—

(a) the Secretary of State, if the matter relates (in whole or in part other than incidentally) to an excepted matter or reserved matter or to a function conferred or imposed on the Secretary of State by or under a statutory provision;

(b) otherwise, the Department of Justice;

and in paragraph (a) “excepted matter” and “reserved matter” have the meanings given by section 4 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.]

(3) The Ombudsman shall, not later than 3 months after the end of each financial year, make to the [F4 Department of Justice] a report on the discharge of the Ombudsman’s functions during that year.

(4) The Ombudsman shall—

(a) keep under review the working of this Part; and

(b) at least once every five years, make a report on it to the [F4 Department of Justice].

(5) The Ombudsman shall send a copy of any report under this section to—

(a) the [F5 Board] and the Chief Constable; and

(b) if the report concerns any such body of constables as is mentioned in section 60, to the authority maintaining it and the officer having the direction and control of it[F6 ; and

(c) if the report concerns the Serious Organised Crime Agency, to the Agency.]

[F7 (5A) The Department of Justice shall—

(a) lay before the Northern Ireland Assembly a copy of every report received by the Department under this section; and

(b) cause every such report to be published.

(5B) Section 41(3) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 applies for the purposes of subsection (5A)(a) in relation to the laying of a copy of a report as it applies in relation to the laying of a statutory document under an enactment.]

(6) The Secretary of State shall—

(a) lay before both Houses of Parliament a copy of every report received by him under this section; and

(b) cause every such report to be published.

[F8 (7) The Ombudsman shall send to the [F5 Board] any statistical or other general information which the Ombudsman considers should be brought to the attention of the [F5 Board] in connection with its functions under section 2(4)(a).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 61(1)(2) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 32(2)(a) (with arts. 28-31)

F2 Words in s. 61(1)(2) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 32(2)(b) (with arts. 28-31)

F3 S. 61(2A) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 32(3) (with arts. 28-31)

F4 Words in s. 61(3)(4) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 32(4) (with arts. 28-31)

F5 Words in s. 61 substituted (4.11.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 23(5)(a); S.R. 2001/396, art. 2, Sch.

F6 S. 61(5)(c) and word inserted (1.3.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55(2)(b), 178(8); S.I. 2006/378, art. 3(1)(2)(d)

F7 S. 61(5A)(5B) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 32(5) (with arts. 28-31)

F8 S. 61(7) repealed (4.11.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 78(4), Sch. 8; S.R. 2001/396, art. 2, Sch.