The Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992

Periodical re-examination of schemes

32.—(1) Subject to paragraph 34, where a trade union or employers' association for the time being maintains a members' superannuation scheme, and either—

(a)the scheme has been examined in pursuance of paragraph 23 or in pursuance of this paragraph; or

(b)the scheme itself has not been so examined but the proposals for the scheme have been examined in pursuance of paragraph 27,

the trade union or employers' association in question shall arrange for that scheme, as it has effect at each successive relevant date, to be examined by an appropriately qualified actuary, and for a report to be made to it by the actuary on the result of his examination of the scheme.

(2) Subject to the next following sub-paragraph, in this paragraph “relevant date”, in relation to a members' superannuation scheme, means such date as the trade union or employers' association in question may determine, not being later than five years after the date by reference to which the last examination of the scheme, or (as the case may be) the examination of the proposals for the scheme, was carried out in accordance with paragraph 23 or paragraph 27 or in accordance with the preceding sub-paragraph.

(3) In the case of any trade union or employers' association the Certification Officer may direct that, in relation to any time after the making of the direction, sub-paragraph (2) shall have effect as if, for the reference to five years there was substituted a reference to such shorter period as may be specified in the direction.

33.  The provisions of paragraphs 24 to 26 and paragraph 28 shall have effect in relation to the examination of a scheme under paragraph 32 as they have effect in relation to the examination of a scheme under paragraph 23.

34.  The Certification Officer, on the application of a trade union or employers' association, may exempt any members' superannuation scheme which it maintains from the requirements of paragraph 32 if he is satisfied that, by reason of the small number of members to which the scheme is applicable or for any other special reasons, it is unnecessary for the scheme to be examined in accordance with those requirements.

35.  The Certification Officer may at any time revoke any exemption granted under paragraph 34 if it appears to him that the circumstances by reason of which the exemption was granted have ceased to exist; and for the purposes of paragraph 32 the relevant date next following the revocation shall be such date as the Certification Officer may direct.