1—(1) There is to be an officer known as the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland.
(2) The Commissioner is to be appointed by the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly.
(3) The appointment of the Commissioner under subsection (2) may be made only after taking account of the views of persons aged 60 or over in accordance with arrangements made by [F1the Executive Office] .
(4) Schedule 1 has effect in relation to the Commissioner.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 1(3) substituted (8.5.2016) by The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/76), art. 1(2), Sch. 6 para. 12 (with art. 9(2))
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 1(1)-(2): transfer of functions (8.5.2016) by The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/76), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 (with art. 9(2))
C2S. 1(4): transfer of functions (8.5.2016) by The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/76), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 (with art. 9(2))
2—(1) The principal aim of the Commissioner in exercising the functions of the Commissioner under this Act is to safeguard and promote the interests of older persons.
(2) In determining whether and, if so, how to exercise the functions of the Commissioner under this Act in relation to any particular older person the Commissioner's paramount consideration must be the interests of that older person but, in the Commissioner's dealings with any body or person under this Act, the Commissioner must at all times have regard to any statutory provision or rule of law which authorises or requires that body or person to act in a particular manner or authorises or requires that body or person to have regard to any consideration other than that mentioned above.
(3) In—
(a)considering, for the purposes of this Act, what constitutes the interests of older persons, and
(b)determining whether and, if so, how to exercise the functions of the Commissioner under this Act,
the Commissioner must have regard to the United Nations Principles for Older Persons adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 16 December 1991.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C3Ss. 2-29: transfer of functions (8.5.2016) by The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/76), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 (with art. 9(2))
Commencement Information
I1S. 2 in operation at 1.12.2012 by S.R. 2012/388, art. 2(a)