Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972

The Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 (c. 22) was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that introduced direct rule in Northern Ireland with effect from 30 March 1972.

The act, which took effect immediately on receiving royal assent, provided as follows:
 * A new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland was to take over the government functions of Northern Ireland's ceremonial Governor and its executive cabinet ministers, and heads of government departments
 * The Attorney General for England and Wales was to take over the duties of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.
 * The Parliament of Northern Ireland was (in effect) indefinitely prorogued, with its legislative powers being made available for exercise by the British Government by Order in Council.

The political institutions that were put into abeyance by this Act were formally abolished the following year by the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.

Reaction
Prominent Northern Ireland MP, William Craig described the enactment of the legislation as "Ulster's El Alamein".