(1)Section 29 of the 1998 Act (statutory committees) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1)(a), after “committees”)” insert—
“(i)to advise and assist the First Minister and the deputy First Minister in the formulation of policy with respect to matters within their responsibilities as Ministers jointly in charge of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and
(ii) ”.
(3)In subsection (6), for the words from “it is established” to the end of the subsection substitute—
“(a)it is established to advise and assist the First Minister and the deputy First Minister and either of those Ministers is a member of his party; or
(b)it is established to advise and assist a Northern Ireland Minister and that Minister is a member of his party.”
Commencement Information
I1Part 2 (ss. 5-19) in force on 26.3.2007 if (and only if) the Secretary of State makes a restoration order by virtue of s. 2(2), see s. 27(4)(5)
(1)After section 29 of the 1998 Act insert—
(1)Standing orders shall make provision—
(a)for establishing a committee to examine such matters relating to the functioning of the Assembly and the Executive Committee as may be specified in the standing orders;
(b)in relation to the membership of the committee; and
(c)for regulating proceedings of the committee.
(2)Standing orders shall provide for the committee to make reports—
(a)to the Assembly; and
(b)to the Executive Committee.
(3)The committee shall, by no later than 1 May 2015, make a report on the operation of the provisions of Parts 3 and 4 of this Act—
(a)to the Secretary of State;
(b)to the Assembly; and
(c)to the Executive Committee.
(1)Standing orders shall require the committee established by virtue of section 29A to consider—
(a)the operation of sections 16A to 16C; and
(b)in particular, whether to recommend that the Secretary of State should make an order amending this Act and any other enactment so far as may be necessary to secure that they have effect, as from the date of the election of the 2011 Assembly, as if the executive selection amendments had not been made.
(2)In subsection (1)—
“the 2011 Assembly” means the Assembly due to be elected under section 31 in 2011;
“the executive selection amendments” means the amendments made by section 8 of, and paragraphs 1, 2(1) and (2) and 3 to 14 of Schedule 5 to, the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006.”
(2)If, by no later than 1 February 2011—
(a)the committee established by virtue of section 29A of the 1998 Act makes the recommendation set out in section 29B(1)(b) of that Act, and
(b)the committee's recommendation is approved by the Northern Ireland Assembly with cross-community support (within the meaning of that Act),
the Secretary of State must by order made by statutory instrument amend that Act and any other enactment so far as may be necessary to secure that they have effect, as from the date of the election of the 2011 Assembly, as if the executive selection amendments had not been made.
(3)In subsection (2)—
“the 2011 Assembly” means the Northern Ireland Assembly due to be elected under section 31 of the 1998 Act in 2011;
“the executive selection amendments” means the amendments made by section 8 of, and paragraphs 1, 2(1) and (2) and 3 to 14 of Schedule 5 to, this Act.
(4)An order under this section may contain supplementary, incidental, consequential, transitional or saving provision.
(5)A statutory instrument containing an order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Commencement Information
I2Part 2 (ss. 5-19) in force on 26.3.2007 if (and only if) the Secretary of State makes a restoration order by virtue of s. 2(2), see s. 27(4)(5)