Commentary on Sections General Section 64: Northern Ireland
291.The Northern Ireland Act 2000 enables legislation for Northern Ireland to be made by Order in Council while devolved government is suspended. This section enables such Orders in Council to be made by negative resolution procedure if they are made only for purposes corresponding to the purposes of the Act.
292.Such Orders in Council are normally made at the Privy Council following Royal Assent to a Bill, usually later the same month or the following month. This practice has been adopted in order to enable parity of content and also, as far as possible, parity of timing, between legislation for Great Britain and for Northern Ireland. On restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly, this section will cease to have practical effect, and corresponding legislation for Northern Ireland would be by Bill of the Assembly.