The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010

107.  After section 15 insert—

“15A    Northern Ireland: cross-border collaboration

(1) In relation to emergencies that do not fall within section 1(1)(c)—

(a) the power under section 15(3) or (6) to make regulations or an order permitting or requiring the Chief Constable (PSNI) to co-operate with, or provide information to, a person or body listed in Part 2 of Schedule 1 is exercisable by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland (and not by a Minister of the Crown);

(b) the power under section 15(4) to issue guidance is exercisable by the Department of Justice (and not by a Minister of the Crown) in relation to regulations made by the Department.

(2) Where the Chief Constable (PSNI) has a duty under section 2, a Minister of the Crown may, in relation to emergencies that do not fall within section 1(1)(c), make regulations—

(a) permitting or requiring another person or body listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 to co-operate, to such extent and in such manner as may be specified, with the Chief Constable (PSNI) in connection with the performance of the duty;

(b) permitting or requiring another person or body listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 to provide information, either on request or in other specified circumstances, to the Chief Constable (PSNI) in connection with the performance of the duty.

(3) A Minister of the Crown may issue guidance about a matter addressed in regulations under subsection (2).

(4) If the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland makes an order under section 5(1) imposing a duty on the Chief Constable (PSNI), a Minister of the Crown may make an order—

(a) permitting or requiring another person or body listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 to co-operate, to such extent and in such manner as may be specified, with the Chief Constable (PSNI) in connection with the duty;

(b) permitting or requiring another person or body listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 to provide information, either on request or in other specified circumstances, to the Chief Constable (PSNI) in connection with the duty.

(5) Where a person or body listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (other than the Chief Constable (PSNI)) has a duty under section 2 or 4, the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland may, in relation to emergencies that do not fall within section 1(1)(c), make regulations—

(a) permitting or requiring the Chief Constable (PSNI) (if listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1) to co-operate, to such extent and in such manner as may be specified, with the person or body listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 in connection with the performance of the duty;

(b) permitting or requiring the Chief Constable (PSNI) (if listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1) to provide information, either on request or in other specified circumstances, to the person or body listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 in connection with the performance of the duty.

(6) The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland may issue guidance about a matter addressed in regulations under subsection (5).

(7) If a Minister of the Crown makes an order under section 5(1) imposing a duty on a person or body listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1, the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland may, in relation to emergencies that do not fall within section 1(1)(c), make an order—

(a) permitting or requiring the Chief Constable (PSNI) (if listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1) to co-operate, to such extent and in such manner as may be specified, with the person or body listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 in connection with the duty;

(b) permitting or requiring the Chief Constable (PSNI) (if listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1) to provide information, either on request or in other specified circumstances, to the person or body listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 in connection with the duty.

(8) A person or body must comply with regulations or an order under this section and must have regard to guidance under this section.

(9) In this Act, except where the contrary intention appears, a reference to an order under section 5(1) includes a reference to an order under subsection (4) or (7) above.”