Commentary on Sections Section 1 – Preparations for the restoration of devolved government
14.Section 1 provides the framework for the preparations for devolved government to be undertaken by the Assembly members under the Act. Subsection (1) provides for the Secretary of State to refer to them the election of the First and deputy First Ministers, nominations for Ministerial office, and other matters he thinks fit. Subsection (2) gives effect to Schedule 1, which makes provision in relation to meetings of the Assembly members under the Act.
15.Subsection (3) provides that nothing in the Act will affect section 1 of the 2000 Act – that is, direct rule remains in force until an Executive is ready to take office and a restoration order is made. The only exceptions are listed in subsection (4) and are to accommodate, in particular, paragraphs 2 and 3 of Schedule 2, which provide for full restoration of devolved government and the repeal of the 2000 Act if the Secretary of State is satisfied that the conditions in section 2 are met.