Part 2: The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) Immunity from prosecution Section 20: Requests for immunity: procedural matters
This section makes provision relating to the process for requesting immunity from prosecution and for dealing with such requests.
	Under subsection (1), a request for immunity is not valid if it is made after the end of the fifth year of the ICRIR’s period of operation (this begins on the day section 2(5) comes into force – see section 60). This restriction does not apply if, at the time the request is made, there is an ongoing review relating to conduct by the requestor which is relevant to their request for immunity.
	Subsection (2) gives the Secretary of State the power to make rules on the procedures for making and dealing with requests for immunity (such rules are to be made by statutory instrument subject to the made negative procedure – see subsection (6)). Subsection (3) provides that it is for the Chief Commissioner to determine the procedures for making and dealing with requests for immunity, subject to any rules made under subsection (2).
	Subsection (4) provides that a request for immunity is not valid if it is not made in accordance with any applicable procedure contained in rules made by the Secretary of State under subsection (2) or which has been determined by the Chief Commissioner under subsection (3).
	Subsection (5) provides that it is for the Chief Commissioner to decide whether a request is valid.
	Subsections (7) to (11) deal with the situation where the Chief Commissioner is unable to exercise some or all of the immunity functions, for example because of illness. Under subsection (7), the Chief Commissioner may nominate another person to temporarily exercise certain functions relating to the immunity process, including functions of the Chief Commissioner as a member of the immunity requests panel. The Secretary of State may make the nomination instead, if the Chief Commissioner is unable to do so (see subsection (8)).
	Subsection (9) provides that certain persons cannot be nominated under subsection (7). Subsection (10) ensures the Act applies to the exercise of functions appointed by a person under subsection (7) in the same way it would apply as if the functions were being exercised by the Chief Commissioner. Subsection (11) defines "immunity functions" and "panel functions" for the purposes of these provisions.