5(1)Section 7 of the Children Act 2004 (functions of Commissioner in Northern Ireland) is amended as follows.E+W
(2)In subsection (1), for “promoting awareness of the views and interests of children in Northern Ireland in relation to excepted matters” substitute “ promoting and protecting the rights of children in Northern Ireland where those rights are or may be affected by excepted matters ”.
(3)After subsection (1) insert—
“(1A)The function under subsection (1) includes promoting awareness of the views and interests of children in Northern Ireland.”
(4)For subsection (2) substitute—
“(2)Subsections (3) to (5) of section 2 and sections 2A to 2C, 2E and 2F apply in relation to the Children's Commissioner's function under subsection (1) as in relation to the Commissioner's primary function.
(2A)For the purposes of subsection (2)—
(a)section 2(3)(i) has effect as if for “in England” there were substituted “ in Northern Ireland, in relation to excepted matters, ”,
(b)sections 2(4) and 2B(3) have effect as if for “children who are within section 8A (children living away from home or receiving social care) and other groups of children” there were substituted “ groups of children ”,
(c)section 2E(1) has effect as if “and the function under section 2D” were omitted, and
(d)section 2F(1) has effect as if “or the function under section 2D” were omitted.”