Commentary on provisions of Act Section 7: Concurrent powers and powers of direction: supplementary provision
Subsections (1) and (2) make provision in respect of the Executive Committee of the Assembly. When the Secretary of State is exercising concurrent powers or powers of direction, the fact that a matter has not been referred to, or discussed and agreed by, that Committee will not be relevant to determining what Northern Ireland Ministers, departments or the three new authorities can or cannot do.
	Subsection (4) makes provision in respect of section 44 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. That section confers powers on the Assembly to require persons to give evidence to the Assembly in relation to devolved matters. This provision will exempt UK Government Ministers and civil servants from that requirement (other than civil servants who have worked in one of the new authorities – in relation to that work only) when they have taken action in connection with either the exercise of the Secretary of State’s concurrent powers or a direction given by the Secretary of State.