Commentary on provisions of Act Section 6: Concurrent powers and powers of direction
Section 6 confers concurrent powers and powers of direction on the Secretary of State. The concurrent powers mean that the Secretary of State may take the same actions as a Northern Ireland Minister or Northern Ireland department under Part 7A, 7B or 7C, including any action that is ancillary to that. The Secretary of State may also direct a Northern Ireland Minister, a Northern Ireland department, the Office or either of the two Commissioners to take or not to take action that could be taken under Part 7A, 7B or 7C, including any action ancillary to that. The Secretary of State may also direct any of those authorities to take action (or not to take action) that they can otherwise take but only in the circumstances specified in subsection (3). For example, the Secretary of State could direct that the new authorities be provided with certain assistance by the Executive Office. If the Secretary of State gives a direction, they are required to lay a copy of the direction before Parliament and publish it.