Devolution
Devolution was only to come into effect if an Executive (government) could be formed that had the support of the Assembly and that was "likely to be widely accepted throughout the community". The Act listed excepted matters and reserved matters; the former were areas in which the Assembly was not permitted to legislate; the latter were areas which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland could transfer into the Assembly's power when and if he saw fit.
Read more about this topic: Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973