Transitional and saving provisions in relation to references to the CMA under the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 and membership of CMA groups

4.—(1) The following provisions apply notwithstanding any amendment of any provision of the 2013 Act made by these Regulations.

(2) Paragraphs (3) and (4) apply where the Authority has made a reference under Article 15 of the Gas Order which is in progress immediately before the operative date.

(3) Any persons who are, immediately before the operative date, members of a group constituted under Schedule 4 to the 2013 Act for the purpose of carrying out functions of the CMA in relation to the reference mentioned in paragraph (2) are to continue as members of the group on and after the operative date for the purpose of carrying out those functions.

(4) The provisions of paragraphs 51 to 53 of Schedule 4 to the 2013 Act are to apply in respect of a group constituted under Schedule 4 to the 2013 Act for the purpose of carrying out functions of the CMA in relation to the reference mentioned in paragraph (2) as though that group were a special reference group.

(5) For the purposes of this regulation, a reference made by the Authority under Article 15 of the Gas Order is in progress immediately before the operative date if the Authority made the reference before that date but—

(a)the CMA has not made a report on the reference before that date; or

(b)the CMA has made a report on the reference before the operative date but Article 17 of that Order applies to the report and, as at that date, any action which the CMA is required or permitted to take under Article 17A of that Order in connection with the reference has not yet been taken.