4.Legislative Background
4.1. In Northern Ireland, a Local Government Boundaries Commissioner can be appointed to carry out a review of local government districts and wards under section 50(1)(a), (b) or (4) of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Boundaries)(Northern Ireland) Order 2006. His recommendations are given effect by means of an order made under section 50(10) of the 1972 Act. Under the District Electoral Areas Commissioner (Northern Ireland) Order 1984, the District Electoral Areas Commissioner can only be appointed once the order giving effect to the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner’s recommendations has been made. Articles 3 and 4 of this Order substitute articles 2 and 3 of the 1984 Order to allow the Secretary of State to appoint the District Electoral Areas Commissioner as soon as practicable after the appointment of the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner. This will enable the Commissioner to be appointed at an earlier stage of the process. However, the District Electoral Areas Commissioner shall not report to the Secretary of State until an order implementing the
recommendations of the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner has been made.
