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Postponement of Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2009

It is absolutely clear that the current system of co-option will continue. There will therefore be by-elections, as there are now, and there will be no changes. If by 2011 we do not reach a conclusion that enables us to have elections under the new boundaries, I understand that the Government will come back to Parliament and postpone the elections until it is possible to have them. I am wrong—perhaps I may seek advice. We will have to decide in due course whether the elections will be held under new or old boundaries when we have a clearer idea of progress. We will keep Parliament informed of that progress. I beg you Lordships’ pardon for being misleading. In 2011, if there has been no conclusion to the discussions, we will take a view on whether the elections should take place under the old boundaries. We will review the situation then.