Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47)

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 12 U.K. Construction of references in existing laws

Office-holders and Ministers U.K.

11 (1) A reference to— U.K.

(a) an unspecified Minister of Northern Ireland; or

(b) the head of a Northern Ireland department,

shall be construed as a reference to a Northern Ireland Minister.

(2) A reference to the head of a specified Northern Ireland department shall, in relation to a function, be construed as a reference to the Northern Ireland Minister in charge of the department which exercises that function.

(3) In sub-paragraph (1) “Northern Ireland Minister” includes the First Minister and the deputy First Minister.

(4) This paragraph applies to enactments and instruments passed or made before the appointed day.