Section 2: The Commission
10.This section makes supplementary provision about the Commission. Subsections (1) and (2) provide power for the Secretary of State to make various provision about the Commission by Order. The subsections are similar to section 7(2) of the Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997. An Order was made under section 2(2) on 27th May 1999 (S.I. 1999/1437), providing for the Commission to enjoy immunities and privileges largely similar to those conferred on the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning by SI 1997/2231, made under section 7(2) of the 1997 Act.
11.Subsections (5) and (6) provide for the commencement and duration of the provisions relating to the Commission. As the Commission is an international organisation, it is underpinned by domestic legislation in the Republic of Ireland, as well as by this Act. Section 2 has therefore been brought into force to coincide with the commencement of the parallel provisions in the Irish legislation, following consultation with the relevant Minister in the Government of Ireland (see further paragraph 20 below). Once the Commission’s task is completed, it will no longer be needed and subsection (6) therefore confers power to provide that section 2 will cease to have effect following similar consultation.
