Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections and Periods of Suspension) Act 2003

7 Renewal of powers under section 1

(1) Unless subsection (4) applies—

(a) the following provisions of the 1998 Act—

(i) section 31(2),

(ii) the word “31(2),” in section 96(2), and

(iii) section 96(2A) to (2D),

(all as substituted or inserted by subsections (1) to (3) of section 1 of this Act), and

(b) subsection (4) of section 1,

together collectively referred to below as “the temporary provisions”, remain in force until the end of 15th November 2003 and then expire if not continued in force by an order under subsection (2).

(2) The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument provide that the temporary provisions are to continue in force for a period, or further period, in each case not exceeding six months from the coming into force of the order.

(3) An order under subsection (2) may not be made unless a draft of the order has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(4) This subsection applies if an order is made, at any time, under section 31(2) of the 1998 Act, as substituted by section 1(2) of this Act.

(5) If subsection (4) applies, the temporary provisions do not expire, and the provision to the contrary in subsection (1) ceases to apply.

(6) If the temporary provisions expire, the Secretary of State must by order made by statutory instrument make such amendments of enactments as appear to him to be necessary or expedient in consequence of the expiry.

(7) Subsections (4) to (7), and (9), of section 6 apply to an order under subsection (6) as they apply to an order under subsection (1) of that section.

(8) If by virtue of section 6(7)(b), as applied by subsection (7) of this section, the order under subsection (6) ceases to have effect, the amendments made by the order also cease to have effect, but this does not prejudice the making of a new order.