# Northern Ireland Act 1998, Section 51D: Censure resolutions


(1) This section applies to the following resolutions of the Assembly—
(a) a resolution censuring a Minister or junior Minister—
(i) because he is not committed to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means; or
(ii) because of any failure of his to observe any other terms of the pledge of office;
(b) a resolution censuring a political party—
(i) because it is not committed to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means; or
(ii) because it is not committed to such of its members as are or might become Ministers or junior Ministers observing the other terms of the pledge of office.
(2) A motion for a resolution to which this section applies shall not be moved unless—
(a) it is supported by at least 30 members of the Assembly;
(b) it is moved by the First Minister and the deputy First Minister acting jointly; or
(c) it is moved by the Presiding Officer in pursuance of a notice under subsection (3).
(3) If the Secretary of State is of the opinion that the Assembly ought to consider a resolution to which this section applies, he shall serve a notice on the Presiding Officer requiring him to move a motion for such a resolution.
(4) In forming an opinion under subsection (3), the Secretary of State shall in particular take into account the matters listed in section 30(7).
(5) A resolution to which this section applies shall not be passed without cross-community support.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/47/section/51D (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/northern-ireland-act-1998/section-51D
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.