Digital Economy Act 2017

99 OFCOM and Northern Ireland

(1) Section 1 of the Office of Communications Act 2002 (the Office of Communications) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (3), before paragraph (b) insert—

“(ac) a member appointed by the Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland;”.

(3) Before subsection (4) insert—

“(3C) Before appointing a member under subsection (3)(ac) the Minister for the Economy must consult the Secretary of State.”

(4) In subsection (5) in the words before paragraph (a), before “and (b),” insert “, (ac)”.

(5) At the end insert—

“(13) Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Schedule apply in relation to the appointment made under subsection (3)(ac) as if—

(a) any reference to the Secretary of State were to the Minister for the Economy, and

(b) at the end of paragraph 2 there were inserted—

“(9) Before the Minister for the Economy removes a person from office the Minister must consult the Secretary of State.”””

(6) The Schedule to the Office of Communications Act 2002 is amended as follows.

(7) In paragraph 11 (accounts and audit)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (3)(c) at the end insert “and the Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland”;

(b) at the end insert—

“(6) The Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland shall lay a copy of the statement and report sent to the Minister under sub-paragraph (3) before the Northern Ireland Assembly.”

(8) In paragraph 12 (annual report)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (1) before “a report” insert “and the Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland”;

(b) at the end insert—

“(6) The Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland shall lay a copy of every report sent to the Minister under this paragraph before the Northern Ireland Assembly.”

(9) The following provisions of section 44 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (power of Assembly to call for witnesses and documents: limitation by reference to transferred matters etc) do not apply in relation to requirements imposed in connection with the discharge of the functions of the Office of Communications in relation to Northern Ireland—

(a) the words after paragraph (b) in subsection (1);

(b) subsections (2), (3) and (5)(b).