Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973

PART IPreliminary

Status of Northern Ireland

1Status of Northern Ireland as part of United Kingdom

Devolution orders

2Initial devolution of legislative and executive responsibility

3Alterations in devolved responsibilities

PART IILegislative Powers and Executive Authorities

Legislative powers

4Measures of Northern Ireland Assembly

5Secretary of State's consent for proposed Measures dealing with excepted or reserved matters

6Parliamentary control of Measures dealing with excepted or reserved matters

Executive authorities

7Executive authorities in Northern Ireland

8The Northern Ireland Executive

9Remuneration and pensions of members of Northern Ireland Executive etc.

10Attorney General for Northern Ireland

11Agency arrangements between United Kingdom and Northern Ireland departments

Relations with Republic of Ireland

12Consultation, agreements and arrangements with Republic of Ireland

Financial provisions

13Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland

14Proceedings in Assembly for imposing charge on public funds or for imposing taxation

15Payment to Northern Ireland of share of United Kingdom taxes

16Grants to Northern Ireland out of moneys provided by Parliament

PART IIIPrevention of Religious and Political Discrimination

17Discrimination in legislation

18Special procedure for determining validity of legislation

19Discrimination by public authorities

20The Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

21Unlawful oaths, undertakings and declarations

22Removal of restrictions on investigation into maladministration

23Interpretation and supplemental

PART IVThe Northern Ireland Assembly

24Presiding officer and Clerk of the Assembly

26Privileges, remuneration, etc.

27Dissolution and prorogation

28Constituencies and number of members

29Elections and franchise

30Disqualification for membership of Assembly

PART VMiscellaneous and Supplementary

31Abolition of Parliament of Northern Ireland

32Abolition of office of Governor and provisions as to Privy Council of Northern Ireland

33Preservation of pension rights of former members of Parliament of Northern Ireland and former Ministers

34Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland

35Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland

36Provisions as to other Northern Ireland officers

37Provisions as to Joint Exchequer Board and other financial matters

38Power to legislate by Order in Council for certain matters relating to Northern Ireland

39Power to legislate by Order in Council for purposes consequential on this Act or on Orders under s. 3

40General adaptation of references to institutions and offices abolished by this Act

42Saving for existing laws

43Short title, interpretation and commencement

SCHEDULE 1Polls for Purposes of Section 1

1The Secretary of State may by order direct the holding...

2Any order under this Schedule directing the holding of a...

3The power to make orders under this Schedule includes power...

SCHEDULE 2Excepted Matters

1The Crown, including the succession to the Crown and a...

2The Parliament of the United Kingdom ; parliamentary elections, including...

3International relations, including treaties, the making of peace or war...

4The armed forces of the Crown but not any matter...

5Dignities and titles of honour.

6Treason and treason felony but not powers of arrest or...

7Nationality ; immigration ; aliens as such.

8Taxes for the time being levied under any law applying...

9The appointment and removal of judges of the Supreme Court...

10The appointment and office of the Director and deputy Director...

11Elections, including the franchise, in respect of the Northern Ireland...

12Coinage, legal tender and bank notes.

13The National Savings Bank.

14Special powers and other provisions for dealing with terrorism or...

15Without prejudice to paragraphs 10 and 11 above, any matter...

SCHEDULE 3Minimum Reserved Matters on Appointed Day

1Any such property as is mentioned in paragraph 1(b) of...

2All matters, other than those specified in paragraph 9 of...

3Without prejudice to paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 below, the...

4The following matters— (a) the criminal law, including the creation...

5The establishment, organisation and control of the Royal Ulster Constabulary...

6Firearms and explosives.

7Disqualification for membership of the Northern Ireland Assembly ; privileges,...

8The exercise of legislative powers so far as required for...

9Trade with any place outside the United Kingdom but not—...

10Navigation, including merchant shipping, but not harbours or inland waters....

11The foreshore and the sea bed and subsoil and their...

12Civil aviation but not aerodromes.

13Postal services, including telecommunications and the issue, transmission and payment...

14Wireless telegraphy, including sound broadcasting and television.

16Nuclear installations.

17Trade marks, designs, copyright and patent rights.

18Units of measurement and United Kingdom primary standards.

19Oaths, undertakings in lieu of oaths and declarations other than...

20Trustee Savings Banks.

21Civil defence.

22The Emergency Powers Act (Northern Ireland) 1926 or any enactment...

SCHEDULE 4Form of Oath or Affirmation under Section 8

SCHEDULE 5General Adaptation of References to Institutions and Offices Abolished by this Act

1(1) Any reference to an Act or enactment of the...

2(1) Any reference to moneys provided by the Parliament of...

3(1) Any reference to a resolution of the Senate or...

4(1) Any reference to the Governor of Northern Ireland, as...

5Any reference to the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland shall,...

6Any reference to the Executive Committee for Northern Ireland shall...

7(1) Any reference to a Minister of Northern Ireland identified...

8(1) Any reference to a specified Ministry of Northern Ireland...

SCHEDULE 6Repeals

PART IEnactments Repealed from Passing of this Act

PART IIEnactments Repealed from Appointed Day

Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973

1973 Chapter 36

An Act to make new provision for the government of Northern Ireland.

[18th July 1973]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—