Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973

26Privileges, remuneration, etc.

(1)The powers, privileges and immunities of the Assembly and of the members and committees thereof shall be the same as those for the time being held and enjoyed by the House of Commons and its members and committees but this subsection has effect subject to section 25(7) above and to any provision made by Measure.

(2)There shall be paid to each member of the Assembly such salary and allowances as may be prescribed by Order in Council; and provision may be made by Order in Council for the payment of pensions to or in respect of persons who have been members of the Assembly.

(3)Any salary or allowances payable to a member by virtue of an Order in Council under subsection (2) above shall accrue from the date on which he is returned as a member but shall not be payable unless he takes his seat in the manner prescribed by standing orders.

(4)Special provision may be made by Order in Council under subsection (2) above in respect of the member who is the presiding officer of the Assembly and in respect of such other members (if any) as may be elected by the Assembly to discharge other functions in relation to the Assembly.

(5)Any salaries or allowances payable by virtue of an Order under subsection (2) above, and any sums required by such an Order relating to pensions to be paid out of public funds, shall be defrayed out of moneys appropriated for that purpose by Measure.

(6)Any Order in Council under subsection (2) above may be varied or revoked by a subsequent Order.

(7)A member of the Assembly may resign his seat by giving notice in writing to the presiding officer of the Assembly; and if a seat becomes vacant by resignation, death or disqualification the presiding officer shall as soon as practicable inform the Assembly thereof.

(8)Provision may be made by Order in Council under subsection (2) above for increasing the salary specified in section 1(5) of the [1873 c. 17.] Northern Ireland Assembly Act 1973 or for altering the allowances there mentioned but, save as aforesaid, neither that subsection nor subsection (3) above affects any payment to be made under the said section 1(5) to any person by virtue of his membership of the Assembly elected under that Act.

(9)Subsection (5) above shall, as from the appointed day, apply to any salaries or allowances payable under the said section 1(5).