32.—(1) Amend section 61(1) (reports by Ombudsman) as follows.U.K.
(2) In subsections (1) and (2)—
(a)for “Secretary of State” (wherever occurring) substitute “appropriate authority”;
(b)for “Secretary of State’s” substitute “appropriate authority’s”.
(3) After subsection (2) insert—
“(2A) In subsections (1) and (2) “the appropriate authority” means, in relation to any matter—
(a)the Secretary of State, if the matter relates (in whole or in part other than incidentally) to an excepted matter or reserved matter or to a function conferred or imposed on the Secretary of State by or under a statutory provision;
(b)otherwise, the Department of Justice;
and in paragraph (a) “excepted matter” and “reserved matter” have the meanings given by section 4 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.”
(4) In subsections (3) and (4) for “Secretary of State” substitute “Department of Justice”.
(5) After subsection (5) insert—
“(5A) The Department of Justice shall—
(a)lay before the Northern Ireland Assembly a copy of every report received by the Department under this section; and
(b)cause every such report to be published.
(5B) Section 41(3) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954(2) applies for the purposes of subsection (5A)(a) in relation to the laying of a copy of a report as it applies in relation to the laying of a statutory document under an enactment.”
Commencement Information
I1Sch. 3 para. 32 in force at 12.4.2010, see art. 1(2)
Amendments have been made to section 61 but none are relevant.
1954 c. 33 (N.I.). Section 41(3) was substituted by S.I. 1999/663.