An Act to provide for the dissolution of the existing Northern Ireland Assembly and its prorogation until dissolution; to make temporary provision for the government of Northern Ireland; to provide for the election and holding of a Constitutional Convention in Northern Ireland; and for purposes connected with those matters.
[17th July 1974]
Commencement Information
I1Act wholly in force at Royal Assent
(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council dissolve the Assembly elected under the M1Northern Ireland Assembly Act 1973; and subsection (7) of section 27 of the M2Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 (power to appoint day for new elections etc.) shall have effect on the dissolution of that Assembly under this section as if it had been dissolved by Her Majesty under subsection (5) of that section.
(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1
(3)The provisions of Schedule 1 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the exercise of legislative, executive and other functions in relation to Northern Ireland during the interim period specified by or under subsection (4) below.
(4)The interim period shall be the period of one year beginning with the passing of this Act but the Secretary of State may by order direct that it shall continue until a date after, or end on a date earlier than, the date on which it would otherwise expire (whether by virtue of this subsection or of a previous order thereunder).
(5)No order under subsection (4) above shall provide for the interim period to continue until a date more than one year after the date on which it would otherwise expire.
(6)The power to make an order under subsection (4) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument; and no order shall be made under that subsection unless a draft of it has been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.
Subordinate Legislation Made
P1S. 1(4): s. 1(4) power exercised by S.I.1991/1538. For previous exercises of this power, see Index to Government Orders.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1(2) repealed by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), Sch. 3
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 1(3) amended by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), s. 2(5), Sch. 1 Pt. I paras. 1, 3
C2Interim period extended until 16.7.1978 by S.I. 1977/1165 and continued until 16.7.1991 by virtue of S.I. 1990/1442, art. 2
C3S. 1(4) amended by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), s. 2(5), Sch. 1 Pt. I paras. 1, 3
C4S. 1(4) interim period extended until 17.7.1992 by S.I. 1991/1538, art.2.
C5S. 1(4) interim period extended (14.7.1992) until 16.7.1993 by S.I. 1992/1702, art.2
C6S. 1(4): interim period extended (13.7.1993) until 16.7.1994 by S.I. 1993/1753, art. 2
S. 1(4): interim period extended (4.7.1994) until 16.7.1995 by S.I. 1994/1772, art. 2
S. 1(4): interim period extended (14.7.1995) until 16.7.1996) by S.I. 1995/1895, art. 2
S. 1(4): interim period extended (2.7.1996) until 16.7.1997 by S.I. 1996/1748, art. 2
S. 1(4): interim period extended (11.7.1997) until 16.7.1998 by S.I. 1997/1960, art. 2
S. 1(4): interim period extended (9.7.1998) until 16.7.1999 by S.I. 1998/1677, art. 2
C7S. 1(4): interim period continued (14.7.1999) until 16.7.2000 by S.I. 1999/2000, art. 2
Marginal Citations
Textual Amendments
F2S. 2 repealed by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), Sch. 3
This Act may be cited as the Northern Ireland Act 1974.
Section 1(3).
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C8Sch. 1: power to suspend conferred by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), s. 2(1)
1(1)During the interim period—
(a)no Measure shall be passed by the Assembly; and
(b)Her Majesty may by Order in Council make laws for Northern Ireland and, in particular, provision for any matter for which the Constitution Act authorises or requires provision to be made by Measure.
(2)No recommendation shall be made to Her Majesty to make any Order in Council under this paragraph containing a provision in relation to which the Secretary of State would be precluded by section 5(1) of the Constitution Act from giving his consent if it were contained in a proposed Measure.
(3)The power to make an Order in Council under this paragraph includes power to vary or revoke a previous Order made thereunder.
(4)No recommendation shall be made to Her Majesty to make an Order in Council under this paragraph unless either—
(a)a draft of the Order has been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament; or
(b)the Order declares that it has been made to appear to Her Majesty that by reason of urgency the Order requires to be made without a draft having been so approved.
(5)Any Order in Council under this paragraph, other than an Order of which a draft has been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament, shall be laid before Parliament after being made and, if at the end of the period of forty days after the date on which it is made the Order has not been approved by resolution of each House, shall then cease to have effect (but without prejudice to anything previously done under the Order or to the making of a new Order).
(6)In reckoning the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (5) above no account shall be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.
(7)References to Measures in any enactment or instrument (whether passed or made before or after the passing of this Act) shall, so far as the context permits, be deemed to include references to Orders in Council under this paragraph.
(8)Orders in Council under this paragraph may be omitted from any annual edition of statutory instruments required to be prepared under regulations made by virtue of section 8 of the M3Statutory Instruments Act 1946.
Subordinate Legislation Made
P2Sch. 1 para 1: for previous exercises of this power see Index to Government Orders.
P3Sch. 1 para. 1 power exercised by S.I. 1991/196, 1991/197, 1991/759, 1991/760, 1991/761, 1991/762, 1991/764, 1991/765, 1991/1219, 1991/1220,1991/1462,1991/1466.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C9Sch. 1 para. 1 amended by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 123(6), 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 16
C10Sch. 1 para. 1(1)(a) restricted by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), Sch. 1 para. 4(1)(a)
C11Sch. 1 para. 1(4)(5) excluded by Theft Act 1978 (c. 31, SIF 39:6), s. 6, Protection of Children Act 1978 (c.37, SIF 39:5), s. 8, Social Security Act 1979 (c.18, SIF 113:1), s. 19, Credit Unions Act 1979 (c.34, SIF 55:3), s. 32(4), Bees Act 1980 (c.12, SIF 2:1), s. 4; Social Security (No. 2) Act 1980 (c.39, SIF 113:1), s. 7(5), Social Security Act 1981 (c.33, SIF 113:1), s. 8(2), Disabled Persons Act 1981 (c.43, SIF 81:3), s. 8, Transport Act 1981 (c.56, SIF 107:1), s. 41(3), Social Security (Contributions) Act 1982 (c.2, SIF 113:1), s. 4(5), Social Security and Housing Benefits Act 1982 (c.24, SIF 113:1), s. 48(2), Firearms Act 1982 (c.31, SIF 51:1), s. 3, Forfeiture Act 1982 (c.34, SIF 116:1), s. 6, Transport Act 1982 (c.49, SIF 107:1), s. 71, Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 (c.41, SIF 113:3), s. 25, Sch. 8 para. 31(6), Child Abduction Act 1984 (c.37, SIF 39:4), s. 12, Health and Social Security Act 1984 (c.48, SIF 113:1), s. 25, Friendly Societies Act 1984 (c.62, SIF 55:1), s. 3, Milk (Cessation of Production) Act 1985 (c.4, SIF 53:1, 2), s. 6, Rent Amendment Act 1985 (c.24, SIF 75:3, 4), s. 2, Further Education Act 1985 (c.47, SIF 41:1), s. 5, Social Security Act 1985 (c.53, SIF 113:1), s. 30, Administration of Justice Act 1985 (c.61, SIF 98:1), s. 68(4), Wages Act 1986 (c.48, SIF 43:2), s. 29, Agriculture Act 1986 (c.49, SIF 2:1), s. 18(13), Social Security Act 1986 (c.50, SIF 113:1), s. 81, Education (No. 2) Act 1986 (c.61, SIF 41:1), s. 47(11), National Health Service Amendment Act 1986 (c.66, SIF 113:1), s. 7(a), Social Fund (Maternity and Funeral Expenses) Act 1987 (c.7, SIF 113:1), s. 2(2), Crossbows Act 1987 (c.32, SIF 39:2), s. 7, AIDS (Control) Act 1987 (c.33, SIF 100:1, 2), s. 2, Criminal Justice Act 1987 (c.38, SIF 39:1), s. 13(1), Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c.43, SIF 109:1), s. 49(3), Finance (No. 2) Act 1987 (c.51, SIF 99:5), s. 102(8), Farm Land and Rural Development Act 1988 (c.16, SIF 2:1), s. 4(3), Employment Act 1988 (c.19, SIF 43:5), s. 34(4), Scotch Whisky Act 1988 (c.22, SIF 109:1), s. 4, Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Rear Seat Belts by Children) Act 1988 (c.23, SIF 107:1), s. 2, Malicious Communications Act 1988 (c.27, SIF 39:1), s. 2, Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c.33, SIF 39:1), s. 168(1), Education Reform Act 1988 (c.40, SIF 41:1), ss. 208, 217, Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c.45, SIF 51:1), s. 26(1), Health and Medicines Act 1988 (c.49, SIF 84, 100:1, 2, 113:2), s. 27(1), Social Security Act 1989 (c.24, SIF 113:1), s. 32, Human Organ Transplants Act 1989 (c.31, SIF 83:1), s. 6, Employment Act 1989 (c.38, SIF 43:1), s. 27(1), Companies Act 1989 (c.40, SIF 27), s. 214(1), Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1990 (c.7, SIF 101A:3), s. 12, Social Security Act 1990 (c.27, SIF 113:1), s. 22(1)(a), Finance Act 1990 (c.29, SIF 99:5), s. 128(8)(a), Employment Act 1990 (c. 38, SIF 43:5), s. 17(1), Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c.41, SIF 34, 37, 76, 82), s. 122
Sch. 1 para. 1(4)(5) excluded by Statutory Sick Pay Act 1991 (c. 3, SIF 113:1), s. 4(5)(a).
Sch. 1 para. 1(4)(5) excluded by Census (Confidentiality) Act 1991 (c. 6, SIF 105), s. 2(a)
Marginal Citations
2(1)During the interim period—
(a)no person shall be appointed or hold office under section 8 of the Constitution Act; and
(b)any functions of the Head of a Northern Ireland department may be discharged by that department and any functions of any other person appointed under that section may be discharged by the Secretary of State.
(2)During the interim period any functions of a Northern Ireland department, including functions discharged by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(b) above, shall be discharged by the department subject to the direction and control of the Secretary of State.
(3)Anything required or authorised by or under any enactment or instrument to be done to or in relation to the head of a Northern Ireland department or any other person appointed under the said section 8 in connection with any functions exercisable by virtue of this paragraph by a substituted authority (whether a Northern Ireland department or the Secretary of State) shall, during the interim period, be done instead to or in relation to that authority.
(4)Any enactment or instrument shall have effect, so far as may be necessary for or in consequence of the exercise of any functions by a substituted authority by virtue of this paragraph, as if references to the head of a Northern Ireland department or any other person appointed under the said section 8 were references to that authority.
(5)This paragraph shall not invalidate anything done before the beginning of the interim period; and,
(a)anything which, at the beginning of that period, is in process of being done by or in relation to the head of a Northern Ireland department or any other person appointed under the said section 8 may be continued by or in relation to the substituted authority;
(b)any order, regulation, rule, direction, authority, appointment, authentication, approval or other instrument or act effective at the beginning of that period as that of the head of a Northern Ireland department or any other person appointed under the said section 8 shall continue to have effect as that of the substituted authority.
(6)The foregoing provisions of this paragraph apply to functions conferred by any enactment or instrument during as well as before the interim period except in so far as provision to the contrary is made by that enactment or instrument.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C12Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(a) excluded by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), Sch. 1 para. 5(1)
C13Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(b) excluded by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), Sch. 1 para. 5(3)
3(1)Where under any enactment or instrument it is a condition for the taking of any step (other than the annulment of any instrument) or the coming of anything into operation that a resolution or motion has been passed or an address presented by the Assembly, then, during the interim period, that step may be taken or that thing shall come into operation without any such resolution, motion or address.
(2)Any statutory instrument made or coming into operation by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(3)Any statutory rules made or coming into operation by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament in like manner as a statutory instrument and section 5 of the M4Statutory Instruments Act 1946 shall apply accordingly.
(4)So much of any enactment or instrument as makes the taking of any step or the coming of anything into operation conditional on the laying of any instrument or document before the Assembly, or on any lapse of time after an instrument or document is so laid, shall not apply during the interim period.
(5)So much of any enactment or instrument as makes it a condition for the continuing of anything in operation that a resolution or motion has been passed or an address presented by the Assembly shall not apply in relation to anything done during the interim period or in relation to anything done previously that would, apart from this sub-paragraph, cease to have effect during that period.
(6)No instrument made during the interim period shall be liable to annulment or capable of being revoked in pursuance of a resolution, motion or address of the Assembly; and no draft of any such instrument shall be laid before the Assembly nor shall any proceedings be taken in the Assembly with respect to a draft of any such instrument.
(7)Regulations made during the interim period under [F3Article 7 of the Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979] shall not require the concurrence of the presiding officer of the Assembly.
Textual Amendments
F3Words substituted by S.I. 1979/1573 (N.I. 12), Sch. 4 para. 14(a)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
Marginal Citations
4(1)During the interim period any report required to be laid before the Assembly under section 10(3) or (4) of the M5Parliamentary Commissioner Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 or section 11(3) of the M6Commissioner for complaints Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 shall be laid instead before each House of Parliament; and the reference in subsection (5)(a) of the said section 10 to a report to the Assembly shall accordingly include a reference to a report to either House of Parliament.
(2)During any part of the interim period for which there is no Assembly, any complaint under the M7Parliamentary Commissioner Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 may be made to, and referred to the Commisioner by, a member of the House of Commons; and references to a member of the Assembly in sections 5, 6 and 10 of that Act shall be construed accordingly.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C16Sch. 1 paras. 4(1), 5(1) excluded by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), Sch. 1 para. 7(1)
Marginal Citations
5(1)The accounts and reports to which this paragraph applies shall be laid before the House of Commons instead of the Assembly.
(2)This paragraph applies to such of the accounts and reports required by section 10, 11, 19, 21 or 22 of the M8Exchequer and Audit Act (Northern Ireland) 1921 to be laid before (or presented or made to) the Assembly as relate to—
(a)the period beginning with 1st January 1974 and ending with 31st March 1974;
(b)any financial year ending during the interim period;
(c)if part of a financial year ending after the interim period falls within that period, the part falling within that period;
and for the purposes of paragraph (c) above those accounts and reports shall be prepared separately for the part there mentioned and for the remainder of the financial year in question.
(3)The functions of any committee constituted under section 25(8) of the Constitution Act shall not extend to the application of moneys during the interim period.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C17Sch. 1 paras. 4(1), 5(1) excluded by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), Sch. 1 para. 7(1)
Marginal Citations
6(1)In this Schedule—
“the Assembly” means the Northern Ireland Assembly;
“the Constitution Act” means the M9Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973;
“enactment” includes an enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland and a Measure;
“functions” includes duties and powers;
“Measure” means a Measure of the Assembly;
“statutory instrument” means a statutory instrument within the meaning of the M10Statutory Instruments Act 1946;
“statutory rules” has the same meaning as it has for the purposes of the [F4Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979].
(2)In this Schedule any reference to an enactment is a reference to that enactment as amended by or under any other enactment.
Textual Amendments
F4Words substituted by S.I. 1979/1573 (N.I. 12), Sch. 4 para. 14(b)
Marginal Citations
Textual Amendments
F5Sch. 2 repealed by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), Sch. 3