Background
3.The purpose of the Act is to postpone the date of the poll for the election of the next Northern Ireland Assembly from 29 May 2003, and to provide a mechanism for setting the date of the next poll. The Act also contains consequential provision to deal with the effects of the postponement taking place after the commencement of the statutory electoral timetable, including the effects on former members of the devolved Assembly; and certain matters relating to the lengthening of the period of dissolution.
4.The Act follows intensive negotiations between the UK and Irish Governments and Northern Ireland political parties. These negotiations were aimed at restoring power to the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, which are currently suspended under the terms of the Northern Ireland Act 2000, and the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement. The Government’s judgement is that, in the absence of clarity on an end to paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland, there is not sufficient trust and confidence among the Northern Ireland parties to permit the restoration of functioning devolved institutions immediately following a 29 May election. The postponement is intended to allow the two Governments to continue efforts to rebuild the trust and confidence necessary for the restoration of effective devolved institutions.