1.—[F1(1)] The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (in this Act referred to as “the Commission”) may, in accordance with a scheme in force under section 2, make payments to political parties for the purpose of assisting members of the Assembly who are connected with such parties to perform their Assembly duties.
[F2(2) If there is an Assembly Opposition (within the meaning of the Assembly and Executive Reform (Assembly Opposition) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016), the scheme shall provide for additional payments to be made to political parties in the Opposition.]
F1S. 1: renumbered as s. 1(1) (24.3.2016) by Assembly and Executive Reform (Assembly Opposition) Act (NorthernIreland) 2016 (c. 10), ss. 11(1), 17
F2S. 1(2) inserted (24.3.2016) by Assembly and Executive Reform (Assembly Opposition) Act (NorthernIreland) 2016 (c. 10), ss. 11(2), 17