Explanatory note

This Order modifies section 47 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 which makes provision for the remuneration of members of the Northern Ireland Assembly (“the Assembly”). Under section 47(9)(a), a person’s membership of the Assembly begins on the day on which he takes his seat in accordance with standing orders. In accordance with the standing orders currently in place a person takes his seat when he signs the Roll of Membership of the Assembly (standing order 3(3)). The effect of these provisions is that a person who is returned as a member of the Assembly while the Assembly is suspended cannot be remunerated because there will be no meetings of the Assembly at which he can sign the Roll of Membership. This Order rectifies this position in relation to those returned as members of the Assembly at the election on 26th November 2003. It modifies section 47(9)(a) so that the words “on the day on which he takes up his seat in accordance with standing orders” are replaced with the words “on the 5th December 2003”.