 This seemed to be averted in August of that year by the outbreak of the First World War, and Ireland's involvement in it.Nevertheless, on 18 September 1914 the Government of Ireland Act 1914 was enacted and placed on the statute book, but the Suspensory Act was passed at the same time, which deferred Irish Home Rule for one year, with powers for it to be suspended for further periods of six months so long as the war continued.It was widely believed at the time that the war would not last more than a few months.