Northern Ireland Act 1974
The Northern Ireland Act 1974 (Irish: An tAcht um Rialtas na hÉireann) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that made provision for the government of Northern Ireland following the collapse of the Sunningdale Agreement. The Act authorised the dissolution of the Northern Ireland Assembly, and transferred its legislative powers to the Queen in Council.
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| Long title | 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. |
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| Citation | 28 |
| Territorial extent | Northern Ireland |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 17 July 1974 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Northern Ireland Act 1998 |
Status: Repealed | |
The Act was intended as a temporary measure, staying in force for just one year. However, it made provision for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to make annual orders extending the duration of the Act. As such, the Act remained in force until the institutions created following the 1998 Belfast Agreement were up and running in late 1999.
The Act also established a Constitutional Convention, which ultimately failed to achieve cross-community consensus on new constitutional arrangements, and was permanently dissolved in 1976.