Superannuation Act (Northern Ireland) 2013

Consultation in relation to civil service compensation scheme modifications

2.—(1) Article 4 of the 1972 Order shall be amended as follows.

(2) After paragraph (3C) (inserted by section 1) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

“(3D) So far as it relates to a provision of a scheme under Article 3 which would have the effect of reducing the amount of a compensation benefit, the duty to consult in paragraph (2) of that Article is a duty to consult with a view to reaching agreement with the persons consulted.”.

(3) After paragraph (8) there shall be inserted the following paragraphs—

“(8A) Paragraph (8B) applies if a scheme made under Article 3 makes any provision which would have the effect of reducing the amount of a compensation benefit.

(8B) The scheme shall be subject to negative resolution and before the scheme comes into operation, the Department must have laid before the Assembly a report providing information about—

(a) the consultation that took place for the purposes of Article 3(2), so far as relating to the provision,

(b) the steps taken in connection with that consultation with a view to reaching agreement in relation to the provision with the persons consulted, and

(c) whether such agreement has been reached.”.

(4) The amendments made by this section apply in relation to reductions to which effect is given by a scheme made under Article 3 of the 1972 Order after the commencement of this section.