Northern Ireland Assembly

Lord Laird
asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the significance of the 26 March deadline for devolution of power to the Northern Ireland Assembly. [HL2812]

Lord Rooker
The date of 26 March was chosen as it was considered that this provided the optimal time period, from the first meeting of the Transitional Assembly on 24 November 2006, for the Northern Ireland political parties and the two Governments to engage in discussion leading to the restoration of the devolved institutions. The deadline has been prescribed by statute in the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006.