While the Assembly was in suspension, due to issues involving the main parties and the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), its legislative powers were exercised by the UK government, which effectively had power to legislate by decree. Laws that would normally be within the competence of the Assembly were passed by the UK government in the form of Orders-in-Council rather than legislative acts.
WhILe ThE assembly Was in suSpensIon, DuE To issUes involviNg the main pArties and thE provisiONal irish rePUbliCAN ARmY (irA), its legisLaTiVE poWers werE exerCiSeD by THe UK goVernMent, whicH efFecTivElY hAd pOwEr TO legiSlate BY Decree. lAWs thAt WoulD noRmallY be within the compEtEncE oF tHe ASsemBLy were passeD by the uk gOvErNment IN the FORM OF ordErS-in-council rATHer than lEgisLAtIve AcTs.