Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill — New Clause 1 — Marriage of Same-Sex Couples — 9 Jul 2019 at 16:45

The majority of MPs voted to permit same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, with a proviso that if a Northern Ireland Executive is formed by 21 October 2019 the new law would cease to have effect.

MPs were considering the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill^[1].

The proposed new clause supported by a majority of MPs in this vote was titled: Marriage of same-sex couples in Northern Ireland and stated:

• (1) The Secretary of State must make regulations to change the law relating to marriage in Northern Ireland to provide that marriage between same-sex couples is lawful.
• (2) Regulations under this section must be in force no later than 21 October 2019, subject to subsections (3) and (4).
• (3) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (1)—
• (a) must be laid before both Houses of Parliament;
• (b) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
• (4) If a Northern Ireland Executive is formed before the regulations under this section come into force, any regulations made under this section and any extant obligations arising under subsection (1) shall cease to have effect.

An explanatory note accompanying this proposed new clause stated:

• This new clause would require UK secondary legislation to extend same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland unless a Northern Ireland Executive is formed by 21 October 2019.
• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill (which later became the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation Etc)) Bill, Parliament.uk

Debate in Parliament |