Explanatory note

Under section 2(1) of the Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997 (“the 1997 Act”) a decommissioning scheme must identify a period during which firearms, ammunition and explosives may be dealt with in accordance with the scheme (“the amnesty period”). Under section 2(2) of the 1997 Act the amnesty period must end before 27th February 2003 or such later day as the Secretary of State appoints by order. Section 2(3) of the 1997 Act, which restricts the power in section 2(2)(b) to appoint a day by order, was amended by the Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning (Amendment) Act 2002 and further amended by the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 so that the day appointed by order under section 2(2)(b) may be no more than twelve months after the date on which the order is made and in any event no later than 27th February 2010.

The Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997 (Amnesty Period) Order 2008 (S.I 2008/378) appointed 14th February 2009 as the day before which the amnesty period identified in a decommissioning scheme must end. This Order appoints 9th February 2010 as the day before which the amnesty period identified in a decommissioning scheme must end.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.