Background
This short Bill amends the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to allow the Northern Ireland Assembly to delegate its powers in relation to the setting of salaries and allowances of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
At present, the Northern Ireland Assembly is prevented from delegating its powers in relation to the setting of salaries and allowances for members of the Assembly by section 47(7) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Bill removes this restriction and enables the Northern Ireland Assembly, should it decide to do so, to confer the functions of setting salaries and allowances for members of the Assembly on an independent body of its choosing. There has been pressure from the Assembly to allow such functions to be delegated.
The Bill has 3 clauses.
Clause 1 amends section 47 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to enable the Northern Ireland Assembly to confer the function of determining salaries and allowances for members of the Assembly on a body of its choosing.
Clause 2 makes minor consequential amendments to section 48 of the 1998 Act. Section 48 deals with pensions, allowances and gratuities for persons who cease to be members of the Assembly, or who cease to hold certain offices but continue as members of the Assembly.
Clause 3 deals with the short title and commencement.
This Bill is not expected to have a significant effect on public expenditure. Any expenditure incurred as a result of the Bill would be met from the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland.
Progress
House of Lords
1st reading: 19 November 2009
2nd reading: 1 December 2009
Committee stage: 12 January 2010
Report stage: 3 February 2010
3rd reading: 24 February 2010
House of Commons
1st reading: 24 February 2010 (no debate)
2nd reading: 11 March 2010
Programme motion: 11 March 2010
Committee stage: 7 April 2010
Report stage: 7 April 2010
3rd reading: 7 April 2010
Royal Assent: 8 April 2010
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