[2] The Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973, which received royal assent on 18 July 1973, abolished the suspended Parliament of Northern Ireland and the post of Governor and made provision for a devolved administration consisting of an Executive chosen by the Assembly.

[3] 108 members were elected by Single Transferable Vote from Northern Ireland's 12 Westminster constituencies, with 5 to 8 seats for each depending on its population.

Following the Sunningdale Agreement, a power-sharing Executive was established from 1 January 1974.

After opposition from within the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and the Ulster Workers' Council strike over the proposal of an all Ireland council, the Executive and Assembly collapsed on 28 May 1974 when Brian Faulkner resigned as Chief Executive.

The Assembly was prorogued the following day,[4] but continued to exist in abeyance until formally dissolved on 28 March 1975, via an Order in Council made under the Northern Ireland Act 1974.