The Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

The [F1Commission]N.I.

The [F2Commission] for Victims and Survivors for Northern IrelandN.I.

4.—[F3(1) There shall be a body corporate to be known as the Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland.

(2) The Schedule has effect in relation to the Commission.]

(4) This Article shall cease to have effect on such day as the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly may by order appoint.

(5) An order under paragraph (4) may include such transitional provisions as appear to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to be appropriate.

(6) No order may be made under paragraph (4) unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the Assembly.

Principal aim of the [F4Commission]N.I.

5.  The principal aim of the [F5Commission] in exercising [F6its] functions under this Order is to promote the interests of victims and survivors.

Duties of the [F7Commission]N.I.

6.—(1) The [F8Commission] shall promote an awareness of matters relating to the interests of victims and survivors and of the need to safeguard those interests.

(2) The [F9Commission] shall keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice affecting the interests of victims and survivors.

(3) The [F10Commission] shall keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of services provided for victims and survivors by bodies or persons.

(4) The [F11Commission] shall advise the Secretary of State, the Executive Committee of the Assembly and any body or person providing services for victims and survivors on matters concerning the interests of victims and survivors—

(a)as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a request for advice; and

(b)on such other occasions as the [F12Commission] thinks appropriate.

(5) The [F13Commission] shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the views of victims and survivors are sought concerning the exercise by the [F13Commission] of [F14its] functions.

(6) The [F15Commission] shall make arrangements for a forum for consultation and discussion with victims and survivors.

General powers of the [F16Commission]N.I.

7.—(1) The [F17Commission] may undertake, commission or provide financial or other assistance for research or educational activities concerning the interests of victims and survivors or the exercise of [F18its] functions.

(2) The [F19Commission] may, after consultation with such bodies or persons as [F20it] thinks fit, issue guidance on best practice in relation to any matter concerning the interests of victims and survivors.

(3) The [F21Commission] may—

(a)compile information concerning the interests of victims and survivors;

(b)provide advice or information on any matter concerning the interests of victims and survivors;

(c)publish any matter concerning the interests of victims and survivors, including—

(i)the outcome of any research or activities mentioned in paragraph (1);

(ii)any advice provided by the [F22Commission].

(4) The [F23Commission] may make representations or recommendations to any body or person concerning the interests of victims and survivors.

Work programmesN.I.

8.—(1) The [F24Commission] shall, at such time, in such form and in respect of such period as the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly may direct, prepare and submit to the First Minister and deputy First Minister a programme of [F25its] proposed activities in exercise of [F25its] functions (referred to in this Article as “a work programme”).

(2) A work programme submitted to the First Minister and deputy First Minister under this Article shall include—

(a)in respect of each activity mentioned in the programme, an estimate of the [F26Commission's] expenditure and receipts;

(b)such other matters as the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly may direct.

(3) Before submitting a work programme under this Article, the [F27Commission] shall consult such bodies or persons as [F28it] thinks fit.

(4) The First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly may request the [F29Commission] to furnish such information in connection with any work programme submitted to them as they may require, including information as to the results of any consultations under paragraph (3).

(5) The First Minster and deputy First Minister acting jointly may, after making such modifications, if any, in the work programme as, after consultation with the [F30Commission], they consider necessary, approve any work programme submitted under this Article.

(6) The [F31Commission] may at any time, and shall if the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly so direct, prepare and submit to the First Minister and deputy First Minister a revised work programme or an amendment to an existing work programme and paragraphs (2) to (5) shall apply in relation to any such revised work programme or amendment as they apply in relation to the original work programme.

(7) It shall be the duty of the [F32Commission]—

(a)to carry out the activities in the work programme approved under this Article in accordance with that programme;

(b)not to carry out any activities or incur any expenditure in any period except in accordance with the work programme approved under this Article in respect of that period.