2000 No. 1347 (N.I. 3)
The Flags (Northern Ireland) Order 2000
Title and commencement1
1
This Order may be cited as the Flags (Northern Ireland) Order 2000.
2
This Order shall come into operation on such day or days as the Secretary of State may by order appointF1.
Interpretation2
The [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.
Flying of flags3
1
The Secretary of State may make regulations regulating the flying of flags at government buildingsF2and court-houses.
2
For the purposes of paragraph (1) “government building” means a building wholly or mainly occupied by members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
Regulations under Article 3 – supplementary4
1
Where the Secretary of State proposes to make regulations under Article 3, he shall refer a draft of the proposed regulations to the Assembly.
2
The Assembly shall, within such period as the Secretary of State may specify, report to the Secretary of State the views expressed in the Assembly on the proposed regulations.
3
The Secretary of State shall consider any report which is made to him under paragraph (2) within the period specified under that paragraph.
4
In exercising his powers under Article 3 the Secretary of State shall have regard to the Belfast Agreement.
5
No regulations may be made under Article 3 unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.
6
The draft laid under paragraph (5) shall be accompanied by—
a
a copy of any report considered by the Secretary of State under paragraph (3); and
b
if, as a result of any such report, the proposed regulations have been changed, a statement containing details of the changes.