Northern Ireland Act 1998

12 Reconsideration where reference made to ECJ

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a reference has been made under section 11 in relation to a provision of a Bill;

(b) a reference for a preliminary ruling has been made by the Judicial Committee in connection with that reference; and

(c) neither of the references has been decided or otherwise disposed of.

(2) If the Assembly resolves that it wishes to reconsider the Bill—

(a) the Presiding Officer shall notify the Attorney General for Northern Ireland and the Attorney General of that fact; and

(b) the Attorney General for Northern Ireland shall request the withdrawal of the reference under section 11.

(3) In this section “reference for a preliminary ruling” means a reference of a question to the European Court of Justice under—

(a) Article 177 of the Treaty establishing the European Community;

(b) Article 41 of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community; or

(c) Article 150 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community.