Irish Free State (Consequential Provisions) Act 1922 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act to make such provisions as are consequential on or incidental to the establishment of the Irish Free State. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 13 Geo. 5 Sess. 2. c. 2 |
| Introduced by | Bonar Law (Commons) 9th Duke of Devonshire (Lords) |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 5 December 1922 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | Government of Ireland Act 1920 |
| Repealed by | Statute Law Revision Act 2007 [RoI] |
| Relates to | Irish Free State Constitution Act 1922 |
| Status | |
| Republic of Ireland | Repealed |
| Northern Ireland | Amended |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Irish Free State (Consequential Provisions) Act 1922 (Session 2) was a law passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom on 5 December 1922. This Act was very important because it dealt with many issues related to the creation of the Irish Free State. This new state was formed just one day after the Act became law. The Act also made changes to an older law, the Government of Ireland Act 1920, especially concerning Northern Ireland.
Why This Law Was Needed
The Prime Minister at the time, Bonar Law, first suggested this law in November 1922. The main reason for the Act was to handle all the changes that would happen when the Irish Free State was created.
The law also had to prepare for Northern Ireland's future. Northern Ireland had two choices: it could either stay part of the new Irish Free State or choose to rejoin the United Kingdom. Most people expected Northern Ireland to rejoin the UK. This Act made sure that the rules would be ready for either decision. It also updated parts of the Government of Ireland Act 1920.
Key Changes Made by the Act
This Act included several important changes, especially if Northern Ireland decided to leave the Irish Free State and rejoin the United Kingdom.
- A Boundary Commission would be set up. This group would decide the exact border between the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland.
- Northern Ireland would have its own Governor of Northern Ireland. This person would represent the King and receive a salary.
- A special group called the Privy Council of Northern Ireland would be created. Northern Ireland would also get its own official stamp, known as the Great Seal.
- If a Council of Ireland was formed to help the governments of the North and South work together, both parliaments would need to pass the same laws for it to happen.
- Northern Ireland's payment towards the UK's shared costs would stay the same, but it could be adjusted later.
- The High Court of Appeal for Ireland would no longer exist.
- Important legal cases in Northern Ireland would be heard by the Court of Appeal for Northern Ireland instead.
The Act also made other significant changes:
- The job of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was ended. This person used to represent the King for all of Ireland. With the new Free State, the King's representative there would be called the Governor-General of the Irish Free State.
- The job of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was also ended.
- The Irish Land Commissioners, who dealt with land issues, were abolished. (However, the Irish Free State brought them back a year later).
- A special fund called the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust was created. Its goal was to provide homes with gardens for men who served in the navy, army, or air force during the war. This trust would have five members.
- The Commissioners of Customs and Excise were given powers to control goods moving across the land border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State.
- Rules were made to prevent people from paying income tax twice (in both the UK and the Irish Free State).
- It allowed for the separation of services like national health insurance between Great Britain and the Irish Free State.
- It also made arrangements for the pensions of judges.
The Great Seal of Northern Ireland
One notable thing this Act did was create the Great Seal of Northern Ireland. This official seal is like a special stamp used for important government documents.
The Act stated: "There shall be a Great Seal of Northern Ireland which shall be kept by the Governor of Northern Ireland... and shall... be used for all matters in Northern Ireland for which the Great Seal of Ireland was theretofore used." This meant that Northern Ireland would have its own unique symbol for official business.
