United Kingdom legislation
The Irish Free State (Consequential Provisions) Act 1922 (Session 2) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed on 5 December 1922. The Act dealt with a number of matters concerning the Irish Free State, which was established on the day after the Act became law; it also modified the Government of Ireland Act 1920 in relation to Northern Ireland.
Purpose.
Prime Minister Bonar Law first introduced the legislation as a Bill in November 1922. The Act's purpose was to deal with a range of consequences arising from the impending creation of the Irish Free State. The Act also had to make provisions for Northern Ireland which would be appropriate depending on whether (i) Northern Ireland decided to remain part of the new Free State after its establishment or (ii) chose to opt back into the United Kingdom (as was widely anticipated). In regard to Northern Ireland, "The Times" recalled that there was "no doubt" that Northern Ireland would opt to rejoin the United Kingdom. The Act amended the Government of Ireland Act 1920 in certain respects.
Changes.
The Act's provisions provided that if Northern Ireland opted out of the Free State:
The Act also:
Great Seal of Northern Ireland.
As noted above, the Act was also the instrument that created the Great Seal of Northern Ireland:
"There shall be a Great Seal of Northern Ireland which shall be kept by the Governor of Northern Ireland and shall, after the first appointment of such Governor, be used for all matters in Northern Ireland for which the Great Seal of Ireland was theretofore used. Until a Great Seal of Northern Ireland is provided the private seal of the Governor of Northern Ireland may be used as that Great Seal."
Section 6.
United Kingdom legislation
The Irish Free State (Consequential Adaptation of Enactments) Order 1923 (SR&amp;O 1923/405) was made under this section.
References.
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