Overview

This bill, amending the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill, focuses on transitional provisions related to changes in the Northern Ireland ministerial offices and election processes. It clarifies how the new rules apply to vacancies arising before the bill's enactment, ensuring a smooth transition.

Description

The bill introduces transitional arrangements to prevent disruption caused by the implementation of changes to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Key aspects include:

• Amendments to Sections 1 and 2: These amendments, concerning vacancies in the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister, only apply to vacancies arising *after* the bill comes into force, with a seven-day grace period for vacancies arising just before the enactment.
• Section 3 Amendments: The amendments made by Section 3 (relating to the Secretary of State's duties under Section 32 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998) only apply to instances arising *after* the bill comes into effect.
• Clause 8 Amendment: A minor grammatical amendment clarifies the wording related to the bill's enforcement date.
• Interaction with Section 16A of the Northern Ireland Act 1998: The amendments made by sections 1(2), (3) and (5) and 2(2) do not apply if an Assembly was elected before this Act comes into force and section 16A of the 1998 Act applies.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly allocate new government spending. Its impact on spending is indirect and would depend on any actions taken by the Northern Ireland Executive or the UK government in response to the changes.

Groups Affected

• Northern Ireland Executive: The bill directly affects the operation of the Northern Ireland Executive, particularly regarding the handling of ministerial vacancies and the relationship between the Executive and the UK government.
• First Minister and Deputy First Minister: The changes directly impact the terms and conditions of their offices, particularly regarding the procedures for handling vacancies.
• Northern Ireland Assembly: The bill influences the Assembly's functions by defining the application of the new rules to existing situations.
• Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: The bill clarifies the Secretary of State's responsibilities in relation to the Northern Ireland Executive in specific circumstances.

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