In section 29 of the M1Northern Ireland Act 1998 (statutory committees), after subsection (5) insert—

“(5A)

A member of the Assembly who is—

(a)

a Minister of the Government of Ireland, or

(b)

chairman or deputy chairman of—

(i)

a committee of the Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives of Ireland),

(ii)

a committee of the Seanad Éireann (Senate of Ireland), or

(iii)

a joint committee of the Oireachtas (National Parliament of Ireland),

may not be the chairman or deputy chairman of a statutory committee.”

In section 40 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (which makes provision as to the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission), after subsection (3) insert—

“(3A)

A member of the Assembly who is—

(a)

a Minister of the Government of Ireland, or

(b)

chairman or deputy chairman of—

(i)

a committee of the Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives of Ireland),

(ii)

a committee of the Seanad Éireann (Senate of Ireland), or

(iii)

a joint committee of the Oireachtas (National Parliament of Ireland),

may not be appointed as a member of the Commission.”