Commentary on Sections Section 2: Consultation in relation to civil service compensation scheme modifications.
This section augments the requirement on the Department of Finance and Personnel  to carry out consultation with the civil service trade unions, through amendment of Article 4 of the Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972. It also subjects any scheme, which would have the effect of reducing the amount of a compensation benefit, to negative resolution.
Subsection (2) has the effect of requiring the Department of Finance and Personnel to consult with a view to reaching agreement on any provision of a scheme made under Article 3 of the 1972 Order that would reduce the amount of a compensation benefit. (‘Compensation benefit’ is defined in the new Article 4(3B) of the 1972 Order inserted by section 1(3)).
Subsection (3) introduces a requirement for the Department of Finance and Personnel to lay before the Assembly a report on the consultation relating to such a provision before the scheme comes into operation, and specifies what that report must include. It also subjects any such scheme to the negative resolution Assembly control procedure.
Subsection (4) provides that the changes made by section 2 in relation to consultation apply to reductions given effect by a scheme made after the coming into force of section 2.