Secondary Legislation
All secondary legislation is derived from primary legislation. Parliament cannot amend secondary legislation, but may reject or approve it. Secondary legislation is drafted by a branch of government:
- A parent Act can give power to a government department or agency to issue more detailed laws.
- The Privy Council of the United Kingdom can enact secondary legislation as "Orders in Council". The Privy Council of Northern Ireland was created in 1922, but became dormant in 1972 with the reinstatement of direct rule. Its advisory powers were then handed over to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, who is head of the Northern Ireland Office.
Secondary Legislation is titled a Statutory Instrument when drafted by a Westminster department and a Statutory Rule when an Assembly department. Previously Statutory Rules were titled Statutory Rules and Orders.
Read more about this topic: Northern Ireland Legislation
Famous quotes containing the words secondary and/or legislation:
“Scientific reason, with its strict conscience, its lack of prejudice, and its determination to question every result again the moment it might lead to the least intellectual advantage, does in an area of secondary interest what we ought to be doing with the basic questions of life.”
—Robert Musil (1880–1942)
“There were two unpleasant surprises [about Washington]. One was the inertia of Congress, the length of time it takes to get a complicated piece of legislation through ... and the other was the irresponsibility of the press.”
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