The Flags (Northern Ireland) Order 2000

Statutory Instruments

2000 No. 1347 (N.I. 3)

NORTHERN IRELAND

The Flags (Northern Ireland) Order 2000

Made

17th May 2000

Coming into operation on days to be appointed under Article 1(2)

At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 17th day of May 2000

Present,

The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council

Whereas a draft of this Order has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament:

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, in exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph 1(1) of the Schedule to the [2000 c. 1.] Northern Ireland Act 2000 and of all other powers enabling Her in that behalf, is pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows:—

Title and commencement

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Flags (Northern Ireland) Order 2000.

(2) This Order shall come into operation on such day or days as the Secretary of State may by order appoint.

Interpretation

2.  The [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.

Flying of flags

3.—(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations regulating the flying of flags at government buildings.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) “government building” means a building wholly or mainly occupied by members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Regulations under Article 3 – supplementary

4.—(1) Where the Secretary of State proposes to make regulations under Article 3, he shall refer a draft of the proposed regulations to the Assembly.

(2) The Assembly shall, within such period as the Secretary of State may specify, report to the Secretary of State the views expressed in the Assembly on the proposed regulations.

(3) The Secretary of State shall consider any report which is made to him under paragraph (2) within the period specified under that paragraph.

(4) In exercising his powers under Article 3 the Secretary of State shall have regard to the Belfast Agreement.

(5) No regulations may be made under Article 3 unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

(6) The draft laid under paragraph (5) shall be accompanied by—

(a) a copy of any report considered by the Secretary of State under paragraph (3); and

(b) if, as a result of any such report, the proposed regulations have been changed, a statement containing details of the changes.

A.K. Galloway

Clerk of the Privy Council

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order confers power on the Secretary of State to regulate the flying of flags at government buildings.