List of acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly from 2000 facts for kids

The Northern Ireland Assembly is like a special parliament for Northern Ireland. It's where elected members, called Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), make laws and decisions for the region. These laws are called "Acts." In the year 2000, the Assembly passed several important Acts that affected people's lives in Northern Ireland. These laws covered things like how political parties get money, how the government spends money, and support for families and children.

Understanding Laws in Northern Ireland

Laws are rules that everyone in a country or region must follow. They are made by elected representatives, like the MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly. When the Assembly agrees on a new rule, it becomes an "Act." These Acts help to manage society, protect people, and ensure things run smoothly.

How Acts Are Made

Making an Act is a careful process. First, an idea for a new law is suggested. Then, it's discussed and debated by the MLAs. They might make changes to it. If most MLAs agree, the Act is passed. Once passed, it becomes official and helps shape how Northern Ireland is run.

Key Acts Passed in 2000

In 2000, the Northern Ireland Assembly passed five main Acts. Each one had a specific purpose, from helping political parties to supporting families and ensuring fair measurements in shops.

Financial Support for Political Parties

The Financial Assistance for Political Parties Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 was passed on February 10, 2000. This Act allowed money to be given to political parties. The main reason for this was to help MLAs who belong to these parties do their jobs better in the Assembly. It ensures that parties have the resources they need to represent the people who voted for them.

Government Spending and Budgets

The Appropriation Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 became law on July 25, 2000. This Act is very important because it decided how the government would spend public money for the year ending March 31, 2001. It approved specific amounts of money for different government departments and services, like schools, hospitals, and roads. It also allowed the Department of Finance and Personnel to borrow money if needed to cover these costs.

Support for Assembly Members

Also passed on July 25, 2000, was the Allowances to Members of the Assembly Act (Northern Ireland) 2000. This law made sure that people who were or are MLAs receive certain payments or allowances. These allowances help cover their expenses and support them in their important work representing the public.

Helping Families and Social Security

A very important law for families was the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000, passed on November 20, 2000. This Act made changes to several areas:

• Child Support: It updated the rules about how parents financially support their children after a separation.
• Pensions: It changed laws about workplace and personal pensions, which are savings plans for retirement.
• Social Security: It also updated rules for social security benefits, which are payments from the government to help people who are unemployed, sick, or have disabilities.

This Act aimed to provide better support and fairness for families and individuals in Northern Ireland.

Fairness in Shops and Trade

The Weights and Measures (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 was passed on December 20, 2000. This Act updated an older law from 1981. It made it easier for businesses to check their own weighing and measuring equipment, like scales in shops. It also allowed official testers from other European countries to test equipment and permitted pre-test stamping, which helps ensure that customers get the correct amount of goods when they buy something.