OpenLegislation

Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

2011 nia 17 · Enacted 29 March 2011 · Extends to Northern Ireland

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 17 September 2025.

An Act to make provision for a Panel to determine the salaries, allowances, pensions and gratuities payable to members and former members of the Northern Ireland Assembly; to make provision for a Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards; and for connected purposes.

[29th March 2011]

BE IT ENACTED by being passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly and assented to by Her Majesty as follows:

Contents

  1. Part 1: THE INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION BOARD
  2. Establishment and functions
  3. 1Establishment and membership of the Board
  4. 2Functions of the Board
  5. Independent status
  6. 3Independence and openness
  7. Appointments, etc.
  8. 4Appointments to the Board
  9. 5Disqualification from membership of the Board
  10. 6Termination of membership of the Board
  11. 6ATemporary appointments
  12. 7Code of conduct for Board members
  13. 8Administration and finance
  14. 9Annual report
  15. Procedure
  16. 10Meetings of the Board
  17. Determinations
  18. 11Exercise of functions
  19. 12Contents of determinations: salaries ...
  20. 13Contents of determinations: pensions and gratuities
  21. 14Availability of determinations
  22. Miscellaneous
  23. 15Meaning of “the Board”
  24. Part 2: THE NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY COMMISSIONER FOR STANDARDS
  25. Establishment and functions
  26. 16Establishment of the Commissioner
  27. 17Functions of the Commissioner
  28. Independent status
  29. 18Independence of the Commissioner
  30. Appointment, etc.
  31. 19Appointment of the Commissioner
  32. 20Disqualification from being appointed or serving as the Commissioner
  33. 21Termination of the Commissioner's appointment
  34. 22Further provision about the Commissioner
  35. 23Appointment of an Acting Commissioner
  36. Procedure, etc.
  37. 24Directions to the Commissioner
  38. Investigations
  39. 25Investigations by the Commissioner
  40. 26Further investigations
  41. 27Reports
  42. Investigatory powers of the Commissioner
  43. 28Power to call for witnesses and documents
  44. 29Witnesses and documents: notice
  45. 30Witnesses: oaths
  46. 31Offences
  47. 32Protection from defamation actions
  48. 33Restriction on disclosure of information
  49. Part 3: SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
  50. Miscellaneous
  51. 34Transitional provisions
  52. 35Orders
  53. 36Consequential amendments
  54. 37Interpretation: general
  55. 38Commencement
  56. 39Short title
  57. Schedule 1: DISQUALIFICATION FROM MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD
  58. 1Paragraph 1
  59. 2Paragraph 2
  60. 3Paragraph 3
  61. Schedule 2: BOARD: ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
  62. Terms and conditions
  63. 1Paragraph 1
  64. Administrative support and accommodation
  65. 2Paragraph 2
  66. Funding
  67. 3Paragraph 3
  68. Schedule 3: DISQUALIFICATION FROM BEING APPOINTED OR SERVING AS THE COMMISSIONER
  69. 1Paragraph 1
  70. 2Paragraph 2
  71. 3Paragraph 3
  72. Schedule 4: COMMISSIONER: FURTHER PROVISION
  73. Terms and conditions
  74. 1Paragraph 1
  75. Documents
  76. 2Paragraph 2
  77. Support and accommodation
  78. 3Paragraph 3
  79. Goods and services
  80. 4Paragraph 4
  81. General Powers
  82. 5Paragraph 5
  83. Financial Prudence
  84. 6Paragraph 6
  85. Annual Report
  86. 7Paragraph 7
  87. Financial Information
  88. 8Paragraph 8
  89. Funding
  90. 9Paragraph 9
  91. Validity of actions
  92. 10Paragraph 10
  93. Schedule 5: CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS
  94. The Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 (NI 12)
  95. 1Paragraph 1
  96. The Commissioner for Complaints (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 7)
  97. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  98. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36)
  99. 3Paragraph 3

1Establishment and membership of the BoardF2

(1)

There shall be a body known as the F1Independent Remuneration Board.

(2)

The members of the Board are the Chair and two other members.

2Functions of the BoardF1

(1)

The functions of the Board are to make determinations as to—

(a)

the salaries F2... payable to members of the Assembly under section 47 of the 1998 Act; and

(b)

the F3pensions and gratuities payable under section 48 of that Act.

(2)

The Board shall exercise its functions with a view to achieving the objectives of—

(a)

ensuring probity, accountability and value for money with respect to the expenditure of public funds;

(b)

securing for members of the Assembly a level of remuneration which—

(i)

fairly reflects the complexity and importance of their functions as members of the Assembly; and

(ii)

does not, on financial grounds, deter people with the necessary commitment and ability from seeking election to the Assembly; F4...

(c)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F5(2A)

In exercising its function under subsection (1)(a), the Board must have regard to the salaries payable to members of—

(a)

the House of Commons;

(b)

the Scottish Parliament;

(c)

Senedd Cymru (the Welsh Parliament); and

(d)

Dáil Éireann (the House of Representatives of Ireland) and Seanad Éireann (the Senate of Ireland).

(3)

The Board shall keep under review the extent to which, having regard to—

(a)

experience gained from the operation of its determinations,

(b)

changes in the functions of members of the Assembly, and

(c)

any other relevant circumstances,

its determinations appear to be achieving the objectives in subsection (2).

(4)

The Board may consider any other matter which is relevant to the discharge of its functions, either on its own initiative or at the written request of the Commission.

3Independence and openness

(1)

The F1Board shall not, in the exercise of its functions, be subject to the direction or control of—

(a)

the Assembly; or

(b)

the Commission.

(2)

A Board member is not a member of the staff of the Assembly.

(3)

The Board shall—

(a)

act in such a manner that its decisions and its reasons for those decisions are readily ascertainable;

(b)

publish such information as will enable the public to be kept informed about its activities.

(4)

Subsection (3) does not prevent the Board from—

(a)

considering a matter in private,

(b)

maintaining the privacy of its consideration of that matter, or

(c)

refraining from publishing material relating to that matter,

if, in the opinion of the Board, the nature of that matter makes it appropriate to do so.

4Appointments to the BoardF1

(1)

The Chair and other Board members shall be appointed by the Commission.

(2)

Each appointment shall be for a term of 5 years from the date of the appointment.

(3)

A person may not be appointed to be a Board member if that person has already been appointed to be a Board member on two occasions.

F2(4)

At any one time no more than one Board member may be a former member of the Assembly.

5Disqualification from membership of the BoardF1

(1)

Schedule 1 makes provision as to the persons who are disqualified from being appointed or serving as Board members.

(2)

The Commission may by order amend Schedule 1.

(3)

An order under this section shall not be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by resolution of the Assembly.

6Termination of membership of the BoardF1

(1)

The appointment of a person as a Board member ceases—

(a)

on the expiry of the term for which that person was appointed;

(b)

if that person resigns by giving notice in writing to the Commission;

(c)

if that person becomes disqualified from being a Board member; or

(d)

if the Commission dismisses that person under subsection (2).

(2)

The Commission may dismiss a person from office as a Board member if it is satisfied that—

(a)

the person has been convicted of a criminal offence;

(b)

the person has become bankrupt F2or is the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order F3or has had a debt relief order made in respect F4of them or is the subject of a debt relief restrictions order or made an arrangement or composition with the person's creditors;

(c)

the person has without reasonable excuse failed to discharge the functions of a Board member for a continuous period of 3 months beginning not earlier than 6 months before the day of dismissal;

(d)

the person is unfit or unable to carry out those functions.

6ATemporary appointmentsF1

(1)

The Commission may appoint a temporary Chair where a person ceases to be Chair (whether at the end of their term of appointment or otherwise) and—

(a)

a replacement has not been appointed; or

(b)

the replacement’s appointment has not yet taken effect.

(2)

The Commission may appoint a temporary member of the Board where a person ceases to be a Board member (whether at the end of their term of appointment or otherwise) and—

(a)

a replacement has not been appointed; or

(b)

the replacement’s appointment has not yet taken effect.

(3)

A temporary appointment lapses—

(a)

when the appointment of the replacement takes effect; and

(b)

in any event, at the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the temporary appointment takes effect.

(4)

Where a temporary appointment lapses under subsection (3)(b) the Commission may renew it or make a new temporary appointment.

(5)

Temporary appointments are to be disregarded for the purposes of section 4(3).

(6)

But a person must not be appointed as a temporary appointment if the person is not eligible to be appointed as a Board member by reason of section 4(3).

(7)

The Commission may by order make provision about appointments under this section.

(8)

An order under subsection (7) shall not be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by resolution of the Assembly.

(9)

Subject to the preceding provisions of this section, a temporary appointment is to be treated for all purposes (including, for example, for the purposes of section 5) as if it were an appointment under section 4(1).

(10)

But an order under subsection (7) may disapply or modify a provision of this Act (other than section 4(4)) in its application to a temporary appointment.

7Code of conduct for Board membersF1

(1)

The Board shall issue a code of conduct for its members.

(2)

The code of conduct shall in particular—

(a)

incorporate the Nolan principles or such other similar principles as may be adopted by the Board from time to time; and

(b)

include provision about the disclosure of interests by Board members.

(3)

The Board shall keep the code of conduct under review.

(4)

In this section “the Nolan principles” means the 7 general principles of public life set out in the First Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (Cm 2850).

8Administration and finance

Schedule 2 makes administrative and financial provision about the F1Board.

9Annual report

The F1Board shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, provide to the Commission a report on the performance of its functions, including the use of resources, during that financial year.

10Meetings of the BoardF1

(1)

Subject to section 11, the Board shall determine its own procedure and when it is to meet.

(2)

The validity of the F2Board’s proceedings and determinations shall not be affected by—

(a)

a vacancy among the Board members; or

(b)

a defect in the appointment of any Board member.

11Exercise of functions

(1)

Subject to subsection (3), the F1Board shall make the determinations referred to in section 2(1) only once in respect of each Assembly.

(2)

Subject to subsection (3), the Board shall not make the determinations referred to in section 2(1) in respect of an Assembly if the date of the poll for the election of that Assembly—

(a)

was directed under section 32(4) of the 1998 Act; and

(b)

occurs within one year of the date of the poll for the election of the immediately preceding Assembly.

(3)

If at any time the Board is of the opinion that it is reasonable and appropriate—

(a)

for a determination relating to pensions to be made, the Board may make such a determination;

(b)

that due to exceptional circumstances the restriction in subsection (1) or (2) should not apply, the Board may make determinations—

(i)

more than once in respect of each Assembly,

(ii)

in respect of such an Assembly as is described in subsection (2),

as the case may be.

(4)

Subject to subsection (6), the Board shall, so far as reasonably practicable, make the determinations referred to in section 2(1) F2at least 6 months before the date of the poll for the election of the Assembly in respect of which the determination is made.

(5)

The Board shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after its establishment, make the determinations referred to in section 2(1) in respect of the Assembly existing at that time.

F3(5A)

Before making a determination under section 2(1) the Board shall—

(a)

publish a draft determination;

(b)

consult the following on the draft—

(i)

members of the Assembly;

(ii)

the Commission;

(iii)

the trustees of any pension scheme established in accordance with a previous determination and still in operation; and

(iv)

any other persons the Board thinks appropriate.

(6)

Any determination made under section 2(1) shall have the effect (whether or not expressly so provided) of revoking any determination or provision—

(a)

made under section 47 or 48 of the 1998 Act before the coming into operation of this Part; and

(b)

relating to the same subject-matter as the determination made under section 2(1).

(7)

Every determination made by the Board shall state the date from which it is to have effect (which may be a date before the date of the determination) and shall continue in effect until revoked by a subsequent determination relating to the same subject-matter.

(8)

For the purposes of subsection (3)(b), the occurrence of an election for which the poll is directed under section 32(4) of the 1998 Act does not in itself give rise to exceptional circumstances.

F4(8A)

Before forming such an opinion as is referred to in subsection (3)(b), the Board must consult the Commission.

(9)

If the Board forms such an opinion as is referred to in subsection (3), it shall—

(a)

state in writing its reasons for having done so, and

(b)

communicate that statement to the Commission,

at the same time as it communicates to the Commission the determination to which the statement relates.

(10)

The Commission shall publish any statement made under subsection (9) as if it were a determination.

12Contents of determinations: salaries ...F2C1C2

(1)

This section applies to any determination made under section 2(1)(a).

(2)

A determination to which this section applies may make different provision for different cases (for example, provision for higher salaries to be payable to Ministers or other office holders).

(3)

A determination to which this section applies shall ensure that, if a salary is payable to a member of the Assembly (“M”) as a member of F1the House of Lords or as a member of the European Parliament—

(a)

if M does not hold an office within subsection (6), no salary is payable to M under section 47 of the 1998 Act;

(b)

if M holds an office within subsection (6), the salary which would otherwise be payable to M under section 47 of the 1998 Act is reduced by the appropriate amount.

(4)

For the purposes of subsection (3), the appropriate amount is the amount of the salary payable under section 47 of the 1998 Act to members of the Assembly generally.

(5)

For the purposes of this section—

(a)

a person's membership of the Assembly begins on the day on which the person takes his or her seat in accordance with standing orders; and

(b)

a person's holding of an office within subsection (6) begins on the day on which the person takes up office.

(6)

An office is within this subsection if the salary payable under section 47 of the 1998 Act to a member of the Assembly holding the office is higher than the salary payable under that section to members of the Assembly generally.

(7)

For the purposes of this section, a person who is a member of the Assembly immediately before the Assembly is dissolved shall be treated—

(a)

if the person continues to hold office as a Minister or junior Minister, as Presiding Officer or deputy or as a member of the Commission, as if the person were a member of the Assembly until the end of the day on which he or she ceases to hold the office; and

(b)

if the person does not fall within paragraph (a) but is nominated as a candidate at the subsequent general election, as if the person were a member of the Assembly until the end of the day of the poll for that election.

(8)

In this section—

  • “deputy”, in relation to the Presiding Officer, means any deputy Presiding Officer elected under section 39 of the 1998 Act;

  • “junior Minister” means a person appointed as a junior Minister under section 19 of the 1998 Act;

  • “Minister” has the meaning given by section 7(3) of the 1998 Act.

13Contents of determinations: pensions and gratuitiesF2

(1)

This section applies to any determination made under section 2(1)(b).

(2)

A determination to which this section applies may include provision for—

(a)

contributions or payments towards provision for F1pensions or gratuities;

(b)

the establishment and administration (whether by the Commission or otherwise) of one or more pension schemes.

(3)

Where any salary payable to a person under section 47 of the 1998 Act is not payable because of either or both of sections 47A and 47B of that Act, any provision made under this section for the payment of pensions which has effect in relation to that person shall apply as if the salary were payable.

14Availability of determinations

(1)

Every determination made by the F1Board under this Part shall be in writing.

(2)

As soon as reasonably practicable after any determination has been made—

(a)

the Board shall communicate the determination to the Commission; and

(b)

the Commission shall publish the determination in full.

15Meaning of “the Board”F1

In this Part “the Board” means the F2Independent Remuneration Board established by section 1(1).

16Establishment of the Commissioner

(1)

There shall be a Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards.

(2)

The person for the time being holding office as Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards shall be, by the name of that office, a corporation sole.

17Functions of the CommissionerI1

(1)

The functions of the Commissioner are—

(a)

where a person has made a complaint or referral to which subsection (2) applies, to investigate the complaint or referral in accordance with the provisions of this PartF1, provided the Commissioner is satisfied in the case of a complaint that it is not frivolous or vexatious or otherwise an abuse of the complaints process;

(b)

to initiate an investigation in accordance with the provisions of this Part if the Commissioner believes that, at a relevant time, a breach of the Code of Conduct F2or the Ministerial Code, or both, may have occurred;

(c)

to report to the Assembly on the outcome of any investigation under this section; and

(d)

on the Commissioner's own initiative, or if requested by the Assembly, to give advice on any matter of general principle relating to standards of conduct of members of the Assembly F3including Ministers.

(2)

This subsection applies to—

(a)

a complaint to the Commissioner that, at a relevant time, a breach of the Code of Conduct F4or the Ministerial Code, or both, has occurred;

(b)

a referral to the Commissioner made by any person specified in the standing orders as being a person who may make referrals in relation to any matter specified in the standing orders as being a matter in respect of which the Commissioner must carry out an investigation.

(3)

In this section—

  • “the Code of Conduct” means—

    1. (a)

      any code of conduct for members of the Assembly, and

    2. (b)

      any guide to the rules relating to the conduct of members of the Assembly,

    which has been agreed to by the Assembly; and

  • F5the Ministerial Code” means the Ministerial Code of Conduct set out in Schedule 4 to the 1998 Act;

  • a “relevant time” means a time (whether before or after this section comes into operation) when a requirement to comply with the Code of Conduct F6or the Ministerial Code, or both, was in force.

18Independence of the Commissioner

(1)

Subject to section 24, the Commissioner shall not, in the exercise of any function, be subject to the direction or control of the Assembly.

(2)

The Commissioner is not a member of the staff of the Assembly.

19Appointment of the Commissioner

(1)

The Commissioner shall be appointed by resolution of the Assembly.

(2)

The Commissioner shall be appointed for a term of 5 years.

(3)

A person may not be appointed as the Commissioner if that person has already held office as the Commissioner.

(4)

The Assembly shall make arrangements for—

(a)

ensuring that any person to be appointed as Commissioner has been identified by fair and open competition;

(b)

determining any criteria for appointment; and

(c)

determining the terms and conditions on which such appointment, when made, is to have effect.

(5)

The Assembly may delegate to the Commission any of the functions referred to in subsection (4).

20Disqualification from being appointed or serving as the Commissioner

(1)

Schedule 3 makes provision as to the persons who are disqualified from being appointed or serving as the Commissioner.

(2)

The Commission may by order amend Schedule 3.

(3)

An order under this section shall not be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by resolution of the Assembly.

21Termination of the Commissioner's appointment

(1)

The appointment of a person as Commissioner ceases—

(a)

on the expiry of the term for which that person was appointed;

(b)

if that person resigns by giving notice in writing to the Presiding Officer;

(c)

if that person becomes disqualified from serving as the Commissioner; or

(d)

if the Assembly dismisses that person under subsection (2).

(2)

The Assembly may by resolution dismiss a person from office as the Commissioner.

(3)

A resolution under subsection (2) shall not be passed without the support of a number of members of the Assembly which equals or exceeds two thirds of the total number of members voting on the resolution.

22Further provision about the Commissioner

Schedule 4 makes further provision about the Commissioner.

23Appointment of an Acting Commissioner

(1)

When the office of the Commissioner is vacant or the Commissioner is, for any reason, unable to act, the Assembly may appoint a person to discharge any function of that office until such time as may be specified by the terms and conditions of such appointment; and a person so appointed is referred to in this section as an “Acting Commissioner”.

(2)

There may be more than one Acting Commissioner at any one time.

(3)

The Assembly may delegate to the Commission any matter connected with the appointment of an Acting Commissioner, including the terms of such appointment (but not the appointment itself).

(4)

The Commissioner and an Acting Commissioner may each discharge the functions of the Commissioner at the same time in relation to different investigations or requests for advice.

(5)

A person who is disqualified from being appointed or serving as the Commissioner is disqualified from being appointed or serving as an Acting Commissioner.

(6)

The appointment of a person as an Acting Commissioner ceases in any of the circumstances specified (in relation to the Commissioner) in section 21.

(7)

Anything done by an Acting Commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this Act and an appointment made under subsection (1) shall be valid as if it had been done by the Commissioner.

(8)

Sections 18, 22 and 24 to 34 shall apply to the discharge by an Acting Commissioner of the function which that Acting Commissioner was appointed to discharge as if references in those sections to the Commissioner were references to an Acting Commissioner.

24Directions to the Commissioner

(1)

The Commissioner shall comply with any directions given by the Assembly under this section.

(2)

Directions given under this section may include provision—

(a)

as to the general procedure to be followed by the Commissioner in the exercise of the Commissioner's functions; and

(b)

requiring the Commissioner—

(i)

to comply with such principles, codes of conduct and other statements of standards or ethics as the Assembly may specify; and

(ii)

to register such financial and other interests on such occasions and in such manner as the Assembly may require.

(3)

A direction under this section may not—

(a)

prevent the Commissioner from carrying out any specific investigation in accordance with this Part;

(b)

limit the scope of any such investigation;

(c)

direct the Commissioner as to how any such investigation is to be carried out or reported to the Assembly;

(d)

interfere with the exercise of the Commissioner's discretion in relation to any specific investigation; or

(e)

otherwise interfere with the exercise of the Commissioner's functions under this Part in respect of any specific investigation.

25Investigations by the CommissionerI1

The Commissioner shall determine the procedure for and timing of—

(a)

any specific investigation; and

(b)

the report to the Assembly on the outcome of that investigation.

26Further investigationsI1

Following receipt of a report from the Commissioner the Assembly may request the Commissioner to carry out such further investigation as may be specified in the request, and the Commissioner shall report to the Assembly—

(a)

on the outcome of the further investigation; or

(b)

that on considering the request the Commissioner has concluded that the further investigation would be unnecessary and the reasons for that conclusion.

27ReportsI1

(1)

A report made by the Commissioner under this Part may not include any specific recommendation for the imposition of a sanction on a member of the Assembly F1or Minister but may otherwise make such recommendations as the Commissioner thinks fit.

(2)

A report made by the Commissioner under this Part shall be in writing.

(3)

The Assembly shall publish a report made by the Commissioner under this Part as soon as reasonably practicable after—

(a)

receipt of the report; or

(b)

if later, receipt of a report under section 26 which relates to the same matter under investigation and which is not followed by a further request under that section.

(4)

The Assembly is not bound by the facts found, nor the conclusions reached, by the Commissioner in any report.

28Power to call for witnesses and documentsI1

(1)

In carrying out any investigation under this Part the Commissioner may require any person—

(a)

to attend before the Commissioner for the purpose of giving evidence, or

(b)

to produce to the Commissioner documents in the custody or under the control of that person,

relating to the investigation.

(2)

The Commissioner may not impose such a requirement upon any person whom the Assembly could not require, under section 44 of the 1998 Act, to attend its proceedings for the purpose of giving evidence or to produce any document for the same purpose.

(3)

A person is not obliged under this section to answer any question or produce any document which the person would be entitled to refuse to answer or produce in proceedings in a court in Northern Ireland.

(4)

For the purposes of this section—

(a)

a person shall be taken to comply with a requirement to produce a document if that person produces a copy of the document or an extract of the relevant part of the document;

(b)

“document” means anything in which information is recorded in any form; and

(c)

references to producing a document are to producing the information recorded in it in a visible and legible form.

(5)

The Commissioner may agree the payment to persons giving evidence, or producing documents relating to an investigation (whether or not as the result of a requirement imposed under this section), of such reasonable allowances and expenses as the Commissioner may determine.

29Witnesses and documents: noticeI1

(1)

The Commissioner shall impose any requirement under section 28 on a person by giving that person notice in writing specifying—

(a)

the time and place at which the person is to attend and the particular matters relating to which the person is required to give evidence;

(b)

the documents, or types of documents, which the person is to produce, the date by which they are to be produced and the particular matters to which they are to relate.

(2)

Notice under subsection (1) shall be given—

(a)

in the case of an individual, by sending it in accordance with subsection (3) addressed to the person at the person's usual or last known address or, where the person has given an address for service of the notice, at that address;

(b)

in any other case, by sending it in accordance with subsection (3) addressed to the person at the person's registered or principal office.

(3)

A notice is sent in accordance with this subsection if it is sent—

(a)

by a registered post service (within the meaning of the Postal Services Act 2000 (c. 26)); or

(b)

by a postal service which provides for its delivery by post to be recorded.

30Witnesses: oathsI1

The Commissioner may—

(a)

administer an oath to any person giving evidence to the Commissioner; and

(b)

require that person to take an oath.

31OffencesI1

(1)

Subject to section 28(3), a person to whom a notice has been given under section 29(1) who—

(a)

refuses or fails to attend before the Commissioner as required by the notice,

(b)

refuses or fails, when attending before the Commissioner as required by the notice, to answer any question concerning any matter specified in the notice,

(c)

intentionally alters, suppresses, conceals or destroys any document required to be produced by the notice, or

(d)

refuses or fails to produce any such document,

is guilty of an offence.

(2)

Any person who refuses to take an oath when required to do so under section 30 is guilty of an offence.

(3)

It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1)(a), (b) or (d) or subsection (2) to prove that the person had a reasonable excuse for the refusal or failure.

(4)

A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction—

(a)

to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale; or

(b)

to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 months.

32Protection from defamation actionsI1

(1)

For the purposes of the law of defamation, any statement made in pursuance of the purposes of this Part—

(a)

by the Commissioner shall have absolute privilege; and

(b)

to the Commissioner shall have qualified privilege.

(2)

In subsection (1), “statement” has the same meaning as in the Defamation Act 1996 (c. 31).

33Restriction on disclosure of informationI1

(1)

Subject to subsection (2), the Commissioner, or any person who has (at any time and in any capacity) assisted the Commissioner in the discharge of functions under this Act, shall not disclose any information contained in any complaint or referral, or any information which is furnished to or obtained by the Commissioner or such person in the course of, or for the purposes of, an investigation under this Part.

(2)

Such information may be disclosed for the purpose of—

(a)

enabling or assisting the Commissioner to discharge any function imposed or conferred on the Commissioner by virtue of any provision of—

(i)

this Part;

(ii)

any other statutory provision;

(iii)

the standing orders of the Assembly; or

(iv)

any direction or other requirement imposed by the Assembly; or

(b)

the investigation or prosecution of any offence or suspected offence.

34Transitional provisions

(1)

This section applies to any complaint or matter which on the day on which section 17 comes into operation—

(a)

has been referred to the Assembly Commissioner for Standards; and

(b)

is, or but for the provisions of this Part would be, the subject of an investigation by that Commissioner under Standing Order 69A.

(2)

On the day on which section 17 comes into operation, any complaint or matter to which this section applies shall be transferred to the Commissioner and—

(a)

shall be deemed to have been referred to the Commissioner under section 17; and

(b)

Part 2 shall apply to any such matter.

(3)

All information which has been obtained by or made available to the Assembly Commissioner for Standards in connection with a complaint or matter to which this section applies shall be transferred or made available to the Commissioner and shall be treated as if it had been received by the Commissioner on a referral under section 17.

(4)

In this section “Assembly Commissioner for Standards” means the Assembly Commissioner for Standards established under Standing Order 69A(1).

35Orders

The Commission shall be a rule-making authority for the purposes of the Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 (NI 12).

36Consequential amendments

The amendments in Schedule 5 (being amendments consequential on the provisions of this Act) shall have effect.

37Interpretation: general

(1)

In this Act—

  • “the 1998 Act” means the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47);

  • “the Commission” means the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission;

  • “the Commissioner” means the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards established by section 16;

  • “the Presiding Officer” means the Presiding Officer of the Assembly elected under section 39 of the 1998 Act; and

  • “staff of the Assembly” means staff appointed by the Commission under paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 5 to the 1998 Act.

(2)

“Standing Order 69A” means Standing Order 69A of the standing orders of the Assembly as amended on 29 June 2010 and includes any provision in the standing orders of the Assembly amending or replacing Standing Order 69A.

38Commencement

(1)

The following provisions come into operation on the day on which this Act receives Royal Assent—

(a)

Part 1 and Schedules 1 and 2;

(b)

in Part 2, sections 16, 18 to 24 and Schedules 3 and 4;

(c)

this Part and Schedule 5.

(2)

The other provisions of this Act come into operation on such day or days as the Commission may by order appoint.

39Short title

This Act may be cited as the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

1

The following persons are disqualified from being appointed or serving as F1Board members—

(a)

a member of the Assembly;

(b)

a family member of a member of the Assembly;

(c)

a candidate for election to the Assembly;

F2(d)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e)

a member of the European Parliament, the House of Commons, the House of Lords, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives of Ireland) or the Seanad Éireann (Senate of Ireland);

(f)

a councillor;

(g)

a person employed by a political party;

(h)

a person employed by a member of the Assembly;

(i)

a member of the staff of the Assembly;

(j)

a former member of the staff of the Assembly;

(k)

a person employed by a Northern Ireland department;

(l)

a person who has been employed by a Northern Ireland department at any time in the two years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect;

(m)

a person employed by a district council;

(n)

a person who has been employed by a district council at any time in the two years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect;

(o)

the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards;

(p)

the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland;

(q)

the Attorney General for Northern Ireland; and

(r)

a person who has been the Attorney General for Northern Ireland at any time in the 5 years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect.

2

For the purposes of paragraph 1(c), a person becomes a candidate for election to the Assembly on the day on which that person becomes a candidate within the meaning of section 118A(1) and (2) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) as applied to the Assembly by Article 3 of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (SI 2001/2599).

3

In this Schedule—

  • “civil partner” has the same meaning as in section 1 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33);

  • “cohabitant” means either member of a couple consisting F1of two people who are living together as if spouses of each other;

  • “councillor” means a member of a district council;

  • “family member” means—

    1. (a)

      parent, child, grandparent or grandchild;

    2. (b)

      brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece (whether of the full or half blood);

    3. (c)

      spouse or any person related to a spouse in any of the ways set out in subparagraphs (a) or (b);

    4. (d)

      civil partner or any person related to a civil partner in any of the ways set out in sub-paragraphs (a) or (b); and

    5. (e)

      cohabitant or any person related to a cohabitant in any of the ways set out in sub-paragraphs (a) or (b); and

  • “political party” means a party registered under Part 2 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41).

1

Subject to sections 4 and 6, the Commission shall determine the terms and conditions of appointment applicable to each F1Board member.

2

(1)

The Commission shall provide the F1Board, or ensure that the Board is provided, with such administrative support, including staff, services and accommodation, as the Board may reasonably require to enable it to discharge its functions.

(2)

From time to time, and in any case before providing any support under sub-paragraph (1), the Commission shall consult the Board about such support so as to secure that such provision (and in particular the duties of the staff of the Assembly and the separation of the F2Board’s work from the business of the Assembly or of the Commission) does not call into question the Board’s independence.

3

The Commission shall—

(a)

pay such sums as are payable in accordance with the F1Board members' terms and conditions of appointment; and

(b)

pay any expenses properly incurred by the Board.

1

The following persons are disqualified from being appointed or serving as the Commissioner—

(a)

a member of the Assembly;

(b)

a family member of a member of the Assembly;

(c)

a candidate for election to the Assembly;

(d)

a person who has been a member of the Assembly at any time in the 5 years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect;

(e)

a member of the European Parliament, the House of Commons, the House of Lords, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives of Ireland) or the Seanad Éireann (Senate of Ireland);

(f)

a person who has been a member of the European Parliament, the House of Commons, the House of Lords, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives of Ireland) or the Seanad Éireann (Senate of Ireland) at any time in the 5 years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect;

(g)

a councillor;

(h)

a person who has been a councillor at any time in the 5 years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect;

(i)

a person employed by a political party;

(j)

a person who has been employed by a political party at any time in the 5 years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect;

(k)

a person employed by a member of the Assembly;

(l)

a person who at any time in the 5 years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect has been employed by a member of the Assembly;

(m)

a member of the staff of the Assembly;

(n)

a person who has been a member of the staff of the Assembly at any time in the two years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect;

(o)

a person employed by a district council;

(p)

a person who has been employed by a district council at any time in the two years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect;

(q)

a person employed by a Northern Ireland department;

(r)

a person who has been employed by a Northern Ireland department at any time in the two years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect;

(s)

the Attorney General for Northern Ireland; and

(t)

a person who has been the Attorney General for Northern Ireland at any time in the 5 years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect.

2

For the purposes of paragraph 1(c), a person becomes a candidate for election to the Assembly on the day on which that person becomes a candidate within the meaning of section 118A(1) and (2) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) as applied to the Assembly by Article 3 of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (SI 2001/2599).

3

In this Schedule—

  • “civil partner” has the same meaning as in section 1 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33);

  • “cohabitant” means either member of a couple consisting F1of two people who are living together as if spouses of each other;

  • “councillor” means a member of a district council;

  • “family member” means—

    1. (a)

      parent, child, grandparent or grandchild;

    2. (b)

      brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece (whether of the full or half blood);

    3. (c)

      spouse or any person related to a spouse in any of the ways set out in subparagraphs (a) or (b);

    4. (d)

      civil partner or any person related to a civil partner in any of the ways set out in sub-paragraphs (a) or (b); and

    5. (e)

      cohabitant or any person related to a cohabitant in any of the ways set out in sub-paragraphs (a) or (b); and

  • “political party” means a party registered under Part 2 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41).

1

The terms and conditions of appointment applicable to the Commissioner may include provision for superannuation benefits, pensions and gratuities.

2

(1)

The application of the seal of the Commissioner is to be authenticated by the signature of—

(a)

the Commissioner; or

(b)

any person authorised by the Commissioner for that purpose.

(2)

A document purporting to be duly executed under the seal of the Commissioner or to be signed on the Commissioner's behalf may be received in evidence and, unless the contrary is proved, is to be taken to be so executed or signed.

3

(1)

The Commission shall provide the Commissioner with such administrative and other support, including staff, services and accommodation, as the Commissioner may reasonably require for the purpose of discharging the functions imposed on the Commissioner by this Act.

(2)

From time to time, and in any case before providing any support under sub-paragraph (1), the Commission shall consult the Commissioner about such support so as to secure that such provision (and in particular the duties of the staff of the Assembly and the separation of the Commissioner's work from the business of the Assembly or of the Commission) does not call into question the Commissioner's independence.

4

(1)

The Commissioner may, on such terms as the Commissioner may determine, secure the provision of such goods or services as the Commissioner considers necessary for assisting in the exercise of the Commissioner's functions.

(2)

The Commissioner may enter into arrangements with any public body or holder of a public office, upon such terms as the Commissioner and such body or office holder may agree, for the provision by that body or office holder of such services as the Commissioner considers necessary for assisting in the exercise of the Commissioner's functions.

5

The Commissioner may do anything (except borrow money or employ staff) which is calculated to facilitate the carrying out of the Commissioner's functions or is incidental or conducive to the carrying out of those functions.

6

(1)

The Commissioner shall, in relation to any liability which the Commission may be required to discharge under paragraph 4, 5 or 9(b) or (c), consult the Commission and must do so—

(a)

if reasonably practicable, before incurring the liability in question,

(b)

if not, as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable.

(2)

The Commissioner's duty to consult the Commission under sub-paragraph (1) may be discharged in relation to a particular liability either—

(a)

by providing the Commission with particulars of the liability in question, or

(b)

by notifying the Commission that liabilities may be incurred of such description and maximum total amount as may be specified in the notification.

(3)

The Commissioner shall have regard to any representations which the Commission may make when consulted under sub-paragraph (1).

7

The Commissioner shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, lay before the Assembly a report on the Commissioner's activities, including the use of resources, during that financial year.

8

The Commissioner shall provide the Commission with such information about the Commissioner's financial affairs and transactions as the Commission may reasonably require.

9

The Commission shall—

(a)

pay such sums as are payable in accordance with the Commissioner's terms and conditions of appointment;

(b)

pay or reimburse any expenses properly incurred by the Commissioner; and

(c)

indemnify the Commissioner in respect of any payments agreed under section 28(5) or any other liabilities incurred by the Commissioner.

10

The validity of the exercise of any function of the Commissioner is not affected by a defect in the appointment of the Commissioner.

1

In Part 1 of Schedule 1 to that Order, after the entry relating to the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, insert— “ The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission ”.

2F1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

In Part 7 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (offices and bodies which are public authorities for the purposes of the Act) insert, at the appropriate place— “ The Independent Financial Review Panel ”.