Commentary on Sections
Section 1: Independent Financial Review Panel renamed as Independent Remuneration Board
Renames the IFRP as the Board.
Section 2: Removal of function of determining allowances
Removes the Board’s power to make determinations about allowances payable to Members and former Members. The Board continues to be responsible for salaries and pensions. In consequence, the section changes the Board’s objectives so as to remove reference to the provision of adequate resources to Members for the exercise of their functions.
Section 3: Consideration of salaries in other legislatures
Requires the Board to have regard to the salaries payable to Members of certain other legislatures. These legislatures are: the House of Commons, the Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru (the Welsh Parliament), Dáil Éireann (the House of Representatives of Ireland) and Seanad Éireann (the Senate of Ireland).
Section 4: Temporary appointments
Permits the appointment of a temporary Chair of the Board, and temporary members of the Board, pending the appointment of replacements.
Section 5: Membership
Removes former membership of the Assembly as a ground for disqualification from membership of the Board. This includes provision to ensure that not more than one former Member of the Assembly is a member of the Board at any time.
Section 6: Determinations
Deals with the manner in which the Board makes determinations in respect of salaries and pensions. Subsection (2) requires determinations to be made at least 6 months before the date of the poll for the Assembly elections. Subsection (3) requires determinations to be published in draft and made the subject of consultation. Subsection (4) requires consultation before the Board issues determinations more than once in respect of an Assembly, or otherwise than in accordance with the timing rules set out in section 11(2) of the 2011 Act.
Section 7: Minor and consequential amendments
Subsection (2) reflects the fact that under section 3 of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 a person may no longer simultaneously hold office as a Member and an MP. It remains possible that a person may be paid a salary as a Member of the Assembly while also serving as a Member of the House of Lords. Subsection (3) makes the necessary changes to legislation consequent upon the name of the IFRP becoming the Board.
Section 8: Continuity of the law
Makes provision for continuity of the law, so that the existing determinations continue to have effect until expired, revoked or superseded. The section also ensures that references to the Board by its former name will continue to have effect.
Section 9: Short title
Sets the short title which is the Assembly Members (Independent Remuneration Board) Act (Northern Ireland) 2025.
