Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill: Commons stages
24 October 2018
MPs debated all Commons stages of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill in the House of Commons on Wednesday 24 October 2018.
All stages
This Bill was fast-tracked through Parliament and, as such, all Commons stages took place on one day. This includes second reading, committee stage, report stage and third reading.
- Watch Parliament TV: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill: all stages
- Read Commons Hansard: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill: all stages
Report stage and third reading
Their was no debate for either the third reading or report stage of this Bill. MPs did not divide over report stage but the House of Commons did divide on the third reading, approving it by 344 - 26.
The Bill subsequently progressed to the House of Lords.
Committee stage
MPs debated this Bill in a Committee of the whole House, passing a number of Government backed amendments without division. MPs divided once during this stage, on New Clause 7. This New Clause was passed by 207 - 117.
Second reading
The Bill passed its second reading without a division in the House of Commons. Debate was opened by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley, who urged the House to support the Bill.
The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill 2017-19
Summary of the Bill
This Bill proposes various measures in the absence of a functioning Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland including:
- Suspending the deadline for calling an Assembly election for a time-limited period
- Enabling civil servants to take certain decisions
- Permitting UK ministers to make certain public appointments
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
- Follow Bills before Parliament: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill
- About Parliament: Passage of a Bill through Parliament
House of Commons Library analysis
The House of Commons Library produces briefing papers to inform MPs and their staff of key issues. The papers contain factual information and a range of opinions on each subject, and aim to be politically impartial.
The Library has published a briefing paper for the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill.
Image: iStock
Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber. Please fill in our quick feedback survey to help us improve our news content.