45Suspension of devolved government in Northern IrelandU.K.
(1)This section applies in relation to any time when section 1 of the Northern Ireland Act 2000 (c. 1) (suspension of devolved government in Northern Ireland) is in force.
(2)Functions conferred by this Act on a Northern Ireland Minister may be discharged by the Secretary of State (and a reference to an inquiry for which a Northern Ireland Minister is responsible is to be read accordingly).
In relation to such functions, this subsection applies in place of paragraph 4(1)(a) to (c) of the Schedule to the Northern Ireland Act 2000.
(3)A requirement under this Act to consult any Northern Ireland Minister is to be read as a requirement to consult the Secretary of State.
(4)In the case of rules under section 41 made by the Secretary of State by virtue of subsection (3)(d) of that section and subsection (2) above, subsections (4)(a) and (5)(a) of that section apply in relation to the Secretary of State as they apply in relation to the Lord Chancellor.