Statutory Instruments are frequently used in the Republic of Ireland. The term "Statutory Instrument" is given a broad meaning under the Irish Interpretation Act 2005 to include "an order, regulation, rule, bye-law, warrant, licence, certificate, direction, notice, guideline or other like document made, issued, granted or otherwise created by or under an Act [of the Oireachtas]".
Since the Republic joined the European Union, the degree to which very important legal measures are adopted via Statutory Instruments rather than through Acts of the Oireachtas (which require a positive vote of members of the Oireachtas) has increased greatly. In broad terms this is because, on joining the EU, the Republic's constitution was amended to allow certain laws, "necessitated" by the Republic's membership of the EU, to be adopted without a vote of the Oireachtas. It may be, given the sheer quantity of legislation emenating from the European Union and the need for uniformity of EU law throughout the EU that this development was necessary. Nevertheless, it has undoubtedly enhanced the individual power of Government Ministers at the expense of the Oireachtas.
Other countries
Similarly to the United Kingdom, national and state/provincial governments in Australia and Canada also call their delegated legislation Statutory Instruments.
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