The Financial Assistance for Political Parties Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4 (N.I.)) is an act of the Northern Ireland Assembly governing the money that parties in the Assembly are allocated for researchers, and other similar positions which would enable their work in the Assembly.
| Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to provide for the making of payments to political parties for the purpose of assisting members of the Northern Ireland Assembly who are connected with such parties to perform their Assembly duties. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2020 c. 4 (N.I.) |
| Introduced by | Declan Kearney MLA, Junior Minister Assisting the Deputy First Minister |
| Territorial extent | Northern Ireland |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 25 August 2020 |
| Commencement | 26 August 2020 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | Northern Ireland Act 1998 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Financial Assistance for Political Parties Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
Provisions
editThe Act amends the Northern Ireland Act 1998 entitling all political parties represented in the Assembly to funding.[1]
An independent scheme was set up to provide the funding, as part of the Assembly's budget.[2][3]
Funding is equally available to Irish citizens and political parties whose accounts are registered in Ireland.[4]
Further developments
editThe Act was amended by the Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc.) Act 2003. Under the amended Act, the secretary of state may suspend funds from being given to political party under certain circumstances.[5] Between 2004 and 2005, this happened for Sinn Féin, due to the delays in decommissioning, which the secretary of state characterised as a lack of commitment to non-violence, which is a part of the oath of the Assembly.[5]
The Assembly and Executive Reform (Assembly Opposition) Act 2016 has provisions to amend the Act to entitle the Opposition parties to additional funding, but these provisions were not in force as of 2022.[1][6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Daly, Connor (12 May 2016). "Opposition: what does it mean?". Strategem. Connect Group. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Northern Ireland Assembly Members’ Salaries, Allowances, Expenses and Pensions: Report of the Independent Financial Review Panel March 2016 (PDF) (Report). 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Gordon, David (19 December 2006). "What are we paying them for?". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Barr, Beatrice; Dalton, Grant; Nice, Alex; Tingay, Paeony; Baker, Finn (29 January 2024) [2020-02-26]. "Rules for funding for political parties". Institute for Government.
- ^ a b In the matter of an application by Sinn Fein for Judicial Review, NIQB 10 (Northern Ireland Queen's Bench 2005-02-14).
- ^ Kee, Jessica (28 July 2022). "The Official Opposition: What does it mean?". Stratagem. Connect Group. Retrieved 20 October 2024.