The Flags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
In accordance with paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 7 to that Act, a draft of this instrument has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
Citation, commencement and interpretation1.
(1)
These Regulations may be cited as the Flags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.
(2)
They come into force on the day after the date on which they are made.
(3)
Amendment of the Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20002.
(1)
(2)
Omit Regulation 2(4) (flying of European flag in addition to Union flag).
(3)
In Regulation 5(1)(a) (manner of flying flags), for “2(4) or 3(2) requires or permits” substitute “3(2) permits”.
(4)
In Regulation 8 (discretion to fly flags), for “2(4) or 3(2) requires or permits” substitute “3(2) permits”.
(5)
In Part 2 of Schedule 1 (days on which the Union Flag is to be flown at full mast), omit the entry for 9th May.
These Regulations are made in exercise of the power in section 8(1) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (c.16) in order to address deficiencies arising from the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
In accordance with section 8(2)(e) of that Act, the Regulations amend legislation which deals with arrangements which are no longer appropriate as a result of withdrawal. The Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (S.R. 2000/347) which make provision for when flags may be flown on government buildings and court buildings in Northern Ireland are amended. In particular those Regulations require the flying of the Union flag, and where a building has two flagpoles, the European flag, on Europe Day (May 9th). These Regulations remove those requirements.
An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.