Commentary on Sections Section 8: Reduction of financial assistance
38.This section inserts new sections 51A, 51B and 51C into the 1998 Act. These new sections provide for the reduction in whole or part of the financial assistance payable to Assembly parties under the Financial Assistance for Political Parties Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (“the 2000 Act”). Allowances are paid to parties under the terms of a scheme made by the Assembly Commission under section 2 of the 2000 Act, for the purpose of assisting members of the Assembly who are connected with such parties to perform their Assembly duties.