Policy paper

Response to the NIAC report on the draft Northern Ireland Bill

Government Response to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee's Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Report on the draft Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

• From: Northern Ireland Office and The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers
• Published: 10 May 2013

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Documents

Government Response to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee's Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Report on the draft Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

Ref: ISBN 9780101862127, 2560043, Cm. 8621

PDF, 209 KB, 24 pages

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Details

The draft Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was published on 11 February 2013 for pre-legislative scrutiny.

It contained a number of draft measures to effect institutional change in Northern Ireland, including ending dual mandates between the Northern Ireland Assembly and the House of Commons; providing more transparency in party funding; and implementing changes to the arrangements for the appointment and dismissal of the Northern Ireland Justice Minister.

The draft Bill also contained measures which would implement a number of significant improvements to the administration of elections in NI, following recommendations made by the Electoral Commission and Chief Electoral Officer for NI.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, which undertook prelegislative scrutiny, took oral evidence from 15 sets of witnesses at Stormont and Westminster. Its report, containing 24 recommendations, was published on 25 March 2013.

This response addresses each recommendation, following the order of the Committee’s report.

Published 10 May 2013