European Communities Act 1972 (Ireland)

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The European Communities Act 1972 is an act of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) which incorporated the Treaty of Rome and the laws of the then European Community into the domestic law of the Republic of Ireland. The Act did not just just incorporate the law of the EC which existed prior to its enactment but incorporated, prospectively, legislative acts of the Community enacted subsequently. The Act also provided for the adoption of statutory instruments implementing EC law which have effect as if they are Acts of Parliament. Doing either of these things would normally count as an unconstitutional delegation of the legislative power of the state. As such the Act is one of those which is protected by the Third Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland.