Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill (HC Bill 417)
A
BILL
TO
Extend the period for forming an Executive under section 1(1) of the Northern
Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018 and to
impose a duty on the Secretary of State to report on progress towards the
formation of an Executive in Northern Ireland.
Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and
consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present
Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
1 Extension of period for forming an Executive
In section 1(1) of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of
Functions) Act 2018, for “25 August 2019” substitute “21 October 2019”.
2 Limited power to further extend period for Executive formation
5For section 2 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of
Functions) Act 2018 substitute—
“2 Limited power to further extend period for Executive formation
(1)
The Secretary of State may by regulations amend section 1(1) so as to
replace “21 October 2019” with “13 January 2020”.
(2)
10The power under subsection (1) may only be used on or before 21
October 2019.
(3)
Regulations under subsection (1) are to be made by statutory
instrument.
(4)
A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (1)
15must be laid before Parliament after being made.
(5)
If the instrument is not approved by a resolution of each House of
Parliament within the period of 28 days beginning with the day on
which it is made, the regulations cease to have effect.
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillPage 2
(6)
If the regulations cease to have effect in accordance with subsection (5)
on or before 21 October 2019, the period mentioned in section 1(1) is to
be treated for all purposes as ending with that date.
(7)
If the regulations cease to have effect in accordance with subsection (5)
5after 21 October 2019, the period mentioned in section 1(1) is to be
treated for all purposes as ending when the regulations cease to have
effect.
(8)
In calculating the period of 28 days mentioned in subsection (5), no
account is to be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved
10or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more
than four days.”
3 Progress report
(1)
The Secretary of State must, on or before 21 October 2019, publish a report
explaining what progress has been made towards the formation of an
15Executive in Northern Ireland (unless an Executive has already been formed).
(2) The Secretary of State must lay the report before Parliament.
(3)
For the purposes of this section an Executive is formed once the offices of the
First Minister, deputy First Minister and the Northern Ireland Ministers are all
filled.
4 20Extent, commencement and short title
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act 2019.