In paragraph 22 of Schedule 2 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (excepted matters), for sub-paragraph (f) substitute—

“(f)

in Part VII, sections 69B, 71(1) and (2) and (3) to (5), 74(5) and (6), 76 and 78;”.

In paragraph 42 of Schedule 3 to that Act (reserved matters), after sub-paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa)

in Part VII, sections 68 to 69A, 69C to 70, 71(2A) to (2C) and Schedule 7;”.

In section 4 of that Act (transferred, excepted and reserved matters), after subsection (3B) (as inserted by section 10) insert—

“(3C)

The Secretary of State shall not lay before Parliament under subsection (2) the draft of an Order amending paragraph 42(aa) of Schedule 3 (Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission) unless the Secretary of State has, at least three months before laying the draft, laid a report before Parliament.

(3D)

The report under subsection (3C) must set out the Secretary of State's view of the effect (if any) that the Order would have on—

(a)

the independence of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission;

(b)

the application of internationally accepted principles relating to national human rights institutions; and

(c)

the relationship between the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Assembly.”