Northern Ireland Assembly (1973) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern Ireland Assembly |
|
|---|---|
| Devolved Assembly | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| History | |
| Established | 3 May 1973 |
| Disbanded | 28 May 1974 (Ceased to function), 28 March 1975 (Formally dissolved) |
| Preceded by | Parliament of Northern Ireland |
| Succeeded by | Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention |
| Elections | |
| STV | |
| Meeting place | |
 |
|
| Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast | |
The Northern Ireland Assembly was a special group of lawmakers created by the UK Government. It was set up on 3 May 1973. Its main goal was to bring back local government to Northern Ireland. This new government was designed to be shared between unionists and nationalists. These groups had different ideas about Northern Ireland's future. The Assembly and its government stopped working in May 1974 and were formally closed in March 1975.
Contents
History of the Assembly
How the Assembly Started
The Northern Ireland Assembly was created by a law called the Northern Ireland Assembly Act in 1973. People in Northern Ireland voted for their representatives on 28 June 1973.
Another important law, the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973, was passed soon after. This law ended the old Parliament of Northern Ireland. It also removed the position of Governor. Instead, it planned for a new local government. This government would be chosen by the new Assembly members.
There were 108 members elected to the Assembly. They were chosen using a system called Single Transferable Vote. These members came from Northern Ireland's 12 areas that also sent representatives to the UK Parliament. Each area had between 5 and 8 seats, depending on its population.
Working Together: The Power-Sharing Executive
The Assembly met for the first time on 31 July 1973. Later, an agreement called the Sunningdale Agreement was made. This agreement led to the creation of a special government called the power-sharing Executive.
This Executive started on 1 January 1974. It was important because it included members from both unionist and nationalist parties. This was a big step towards different groups working together.
Why the Assembly Ended
Not everyone was happy with the idea of power-sharing. Some members of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) were against it. They also disliked the idea of an all-Ireland council, which was part of the Sunningdale Agreement.
A major event that caused problems was the Ulster Workers' Council strike. This strike was organized by people who opposed the power-sharing government. Because of this strong opposition, the Chief Executive, Brian Faulkner, resigned.
When he resigned on 28 May 1974, the Executive and the Assembly collapsed. The Assembly was officially paused the next day. It continued to exist for a short time but was formally closed on 28 March 1975.
Members of the 1974 Executive
The Northern Ireland Executive was the government chosen by the Assembly. It was made up of leaders from different parties. This was a new way for unionists and nationalists to work together in government.
For example, Brian Faulkner from the Ulster Unionist Party was the Chief Executive. Gerry Fitt from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) was the Deputy Chief Executive. Other ministers were in charge of areas like agriculture, education, and health. This showed how different parties shared power.
See also
- Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973
- Northern Ireland Executive (1974)
- Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly elected in 1973
- 1973 Northern Ireland Assembly election
