Northern Ireland Act 1998

Section 1(1).

SCHEDULE 1 U.K. Polls for the purposes of section 1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 1 amended (16.2.2001) by 2000 c. 41, s. 102 (with s. 156(6)); S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

1 U.K. The Secretary of State may by order direct the holding of a poll for the purposes of section 1 on a date specified in the order.

2 U.K. Subject to paragraph 3, the Secretary of State shall exercise the power under paragraph 1 if at any time it appears likely to him that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the United Kingdom and form part of a united Ireland.

3 U.K. The Secretary of State shall not make an order under paragraph 1 earlier than seven years after the holding of a previous poll under this Schedule.

4 (1) An order under this Schedule directing the holding of a poll shall specify— U.K.

(a) the persons entitled to vote; and

(b) the question or questions to be asked.

(2) An order—

(a) may include any other provision about the poll which the Secretary of State thinks expedient (including the creation of criminal offences); and

(b) may apply (with or without modification) any provision of, or made under, any enactment.