Karen Bradley

The bill will also address a landmark Court of Appeal ruling which found that a senior civil servant did not have the power to grant planning permission for a major waste treatment centre and incinerator.

In a speech to MPs today, Ms Bradley said the legislation would “provide for a limited and prescribed period in which there will be no legal requirement to set a date for a further election, and importantly, during which time an Executive may be formed at any point without the requirement for further legislation”.

She said: “This will provide a further opportunity to re-establish political dialogue with the aim of restoring the Executive as soon as possible.”

Ms Bradley added: “The legislation I intend to introduce after the conference recess will also include provisions to give greater clarity and certainty to enable NI departments to continue to take decisions in Northern Ireland in the public interest and to ensure the continued delivery of public services.”