(1)For the purposes of filling the Ministerial offices on the first occasion following the election of the Northern Ireland Assembly at the poll on 2 March 2017, the Northern Ireland Act 1998 has effect as if in section 16A(3) for the words before paragraph (a) there were substituted “ Within the period beginning with the first meeting of the Assembly and ending with [F113 January 2020]”.
(2)Subsection (1) is to be treated as having had effect at all times on and after 2 March 2017.
(3)Section 32 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 has effect as if, during the period for forming an Executive, for subsection (3) there were substituted—
“(3)The Secretary of State may propose a date for the poll for the election of the next Northern Ireland Assembly that is earlier than the date determined in accordance with section 31.””
(4)In the Northern Ireland (Ministerial Appointments and Regional Rates) Act 2017, omit section 1.
(5)In this section—
“the Ministerial offices” means the offices of the First Minister, deputy First Minister and the Northern Ireland Ministers;
“the period for forming an Executive” means the period beginning when this Act is passed and ending—
when all of the Ministerial offices are next filled,
when the period mentioned in section 16A(3) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as modified by subsection (1), ends, or
when the Assembly elected on 2 March 2017 is dissolved,
whichever happens first.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 1(1) substituted (21.10.2019 at 11 p.m.) by The Northern Ireland (Extension of Period for Executive Formation) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1364), regs. 1, 2
(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations amend section 1(1) so as to replace “21 October 2019” with “ 13 January 2020 ”.
(2)The power under subsection (1) may only be used on or before 21 October 2019.
(3)Regulations under subsection (1) are to be made by statutory instrument.
(4)A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (1) must be laid before Parliament after being made.
(5)If the instrument is not approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament within the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which it is made, the regulations cease to have effect.
(6)If the regulations cease to have effect in accordance with subsection (5) on or before 21 October 2019, the period mentioned in section 1(1) is to be treated for all purposes as ending with that date.
(7)If the regulations cease to have effect in accordance with subsection (5) after 21 October 2019, the period mentioned in section 1(1) is to be treated for all purposes as ending when the regulations cease to have effect.
(8)In calculating the period of 28 days mentioned in subsection (5), no account is to be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.]