European Communities (Amendment) Act, 1973

What is this act about?

This law amends the European Communities Act, 1972, specifically concerning how regulations made under that Act can be annulled and how Parliament can be summoned in relation to these regulations.

Who it applies to: The Houses of the Oireachtas (Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann); The Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities.

Deadlines:

If Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann is adjourned for more than ten days, at least one-third of its members can require it to be summoned within 21 days of notice, but not less than 10 days after the summons is issued, regarding these regulations.

At a glance

Country: Ireland
Area of law: Procedural law
Source: irishstatutebook.ie
Text retrieved: 2026-06-17
Explanation updated: 2026-07-07

What does this act regulate?

The statutory effect of regulations made under the European Communities Act, 1972.
The process for annulling these regulations by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The conditions under which Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann can be summoned if adjourned, in connection with these regulations.
The application of these amendments to existing regulations.

Who does this act apply to?

The Houses of the Oireachtas (Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann).
The Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities.

What are the key points?

Regulations under the European Communities Act, 1972, have statutory effect.
Regulations can be annulled if the Joint Committee recommends it and both Houses of the Oireachtas pass a resolution within one year of the regulations being made.
If Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann is adjourned for more than ten days, at least one-third of its members can require it to be summoned within 21 days of notice, but not less than 10 days after the summons is issued, regarding these regulations.
These summoning provisions do not apply if a resolution for annulment has been refused by either House.

Procedural law

Licensing (Renewal of Licences) Act, 1923

Misuse of Drugs Act, 1984

Children Act, 1997

Courts (No. 2) Act, 1986

Animals Act, 1985

Regional Technical Colleges (Amendment) Act, 1994

Irish Legal Terms Act, 1945

Industrial Development (Encouragement of External Investment) Act, 1958

Procedural law

Legal text

European Communities (Amendment) Act, 1973 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 1973 European Communities (Amendment) Act, 1973 European Communities (Amendment) Act, 1973 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 20 of 1973 EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1973 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section 1.

Amendment of European Communities Act, 1972.

Short title.

Acts Referred to European Communities Act, 1972 1972, No. 27 European Communities (Confirmation of Regulations) Act, 1973 1973, No. 5 Number 20 of 1973 EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1973 AN ACT TO AMEND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ACT, 1972 . [4th August, 1973] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:— Amendment of European Communities Act, 1972.

1.—(1) The European Communities Act, 1972 , is hereby amended by the substitution for section 4 of the following section: “(1) (a) Regulations under this Act shall have statutory effect. (b) If the Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities recommends to the Houses of the Oireachtas that any regulations under this Act be annulled and a resolution annulling the regulations is passed by both such Houses within one year after the regulations are made, the regulations shall be annulled accordingly and shall cease to have statutory effect, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

(2)(a) If when regulations under this Act are made, or at any time within one year thereafter and while the regulations have statutory effect, Dáil Éireann stands adjourned for a period of more than ten days and if, during the adjournment, at least one-third of the members of Dáil Éireann by notice in writing to the Ceann Comhairle require Dáil Éireann to be summoned, the Ceann Comhairle shall summon Dáil Éireann to meet on a day named by him being neither more than twenty-one days after the receipt by him of the notice nor less than ten days after the issue of the summons. (b) If when regulations under this Act are made, or at any time within one year thereafter and while the regulations have statutory effect, Seanad Éireann stands adjourned for a period of more than ten days and if, during the adjournment, at least one-third of the members of Seanad Éireann by notice in writing to the Cathaoirleach require Seanad Éireann to be summoned, the Cathaoirleach shall summon Seanad Éireann to meet on a day named by him being neither more than twenty-one days after the receipt by him of the notice nor less than ten days after the issue of the summons. (c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection shall not apply to regulations in relation to which a resolution for their annulment has been refused by either House of the Oireachtas.”

(2)This section shall have effect in relation to regulations under the European Communities Act, 1972 , other than regulations confirmed by the European Communities (Confirmation of Regulations) Act, 1973 , and regulations that ceased to have statutory effect before the passing of this Act.

Short title.

2.—This Act may be cited as the European Communities (Amendment) Act, 1973.

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