Overview

This bill extends the timeframe for the UK government to temporarily manage Northern Ireland's affairs without a functioning local executive. It grants the Secretary of State powers to seek advice on increasing public revenue and improving the financial sustainability of Northern Ireland and mandates the submission of specific financial documents to the UK Parliament when the Northern Ireland Assembly is not in session.

Description

The bill makes several key changes:

• Extension of Departmental Functions: It extends the period during which UK government departments can exercise Northern Ireland's governmental functions in the absence of locally elected ministers. This extension covers the entire current period without an executive, starting from December 6th, 2022, and ending when a new executive is formed.
• Power to Commission Advice: It empowers the Secretary of State to seek advice and information on raising public revenue or enhancing the long-term financial stability of Northern Ireland. This includes directing Northern Ireland departments to provide advice, conduct consultations, and obtain necessary information, subject to data protection laws.
• Reporting Requirements: It requires specific financial documents (minutes, accounts, reports) usually presented to the Northern Ireland Assembly to be submitted to the UK Secretary of State, who must then present them to the UK Parliament when the Assembly is not functioning.
• Exception to Assembly Powers: It adds an exception to the Northern Ireland Assembly's power to call for witnesses and documents, allowing for this to happen in relation to the directions given by the Secretary of State under the bill.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify an increase or decrease in government spending. The cost will depend on the extent of the advice and information gathering undertaken by the Secretary of State.

Groups Affected

The bill affects several groups:

• Northern Ireland Departments: They will be subject to directions from the Secretary of State, potentially increasing their workload and impacting their autonomy.
• The UK Government: It assumes greater responsibility for Northern Ireland's governance and finances during the period without an executive.
• People of Northern Ireland: They may experience impacts depending on the decisions made based on the advice received and the way the public finances are managed.
• UK Parliament: Will receive information directly concerning Northern Ireland's finances during the period the Northern Ireland Assembly is not functioning.

Powered by nyModel