Irish House of Commons

Irish House of Commons
Name	Irish House of Commons
Background color	#800000
Text color	#FFFFFF
Legislature	Parliament of Ireland
House type	Lower house
Body	Parliament of Ireland
Established	1297
Preceded by	Parliament of Ireland (medieval)
Succeeded by	House of Commons of the United Kingdom
Disbanded	31 December 1800
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	John Foster (last)
Election1	1785
Members	300 (at abolition)
Voting system1	First-past-the-post voting
Meeting place	The Irish Parliament House, College Green, Dublin

Irish House of Commons was the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland, a legislature that existed in various forms from the medieval period until its dissolution in 1800. Composed of members representing constituencies across the Kingdom of Ireland, it shared legislative sovereignty with the Irish House of Lords under the ultimate authority of the Crown. Its history is deeply intertwined with the political and religious conflicts of Early modern Ireland, culminating in its abolition by the Acts of Union 1800, which created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

History and establishment

The origins of a representative assembly in Ireland trace back to the 13th century, with the medieval parliament summoned by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. A more defined Commons emerged following the Constitution of 1782, which granted legislative independence from the Parliament of Great Britain. This period, known as Grattan's Parliament after the influential orator Henry Grattan, saw the chamber assert its authority from its seat at Parliament House, Dublin. However, its existence was marked by the political and religious restrictions of the Penal Laws, which largely excluded Catholics and Presbyterians from membership. The Irish Rebellion of 1798, influenced by the French Revolution, and subsequent political maneuvering by Pitt's government directly led to the legislative push for a union.

Composition and membership

The House was composed of 300 members representing counties, boroughs, and university constituencies. The Church of Ireland, as the established church, dominated its membership due to the Test Act. Notable members over the centuries included Henry Flood, Edmund Burke, and Theobald Wolfe Tone. The Catholic Relief Acts of the late 18th century began to relax restrictions, but full Catholic Emancipation was not achieved before its dissolution. The borough franchise was often controlled by local patrons like the Earl of Shannon or the Duke of Leinster, leading to accusations of rotten boroughs.

Powers and functions

The House held the power of supply, controlling taxation and state expenditure within the kingdom. It initiated money bills and could propose legislation on most domestic matters, though its authority was circumscribed by Poynings' Law for much of its history. Following the repeal of Poynings' Law in 1782, it gained significant legislative autonomy. Its powers were exercised in conjunction with the Irish House of Lords and required the royal assent from the Lord Lieutenant.

Procedure and daily business

Sessions were presided over by the Speaker, with procedure influenced by the practices of the Westminster Parliament. Debates, such as those on the Declaratory Act, were held in the chamber designed by Sir Edward Lovett Pearce. The legislative process involved readings, committee stages, and votes. Much of the political management and patronage was orchestrated through the Irish Privy Council and the office of the Chief Secretary for Ireland.

Relationship with the House of Lords

The Commons was the junior partner in a bicameral legislature with the Irish House of Lords, which included temporal and spiritual peers. Conflict could arise between the houses, particularly over money bills, as seen in tensions with figures like the Earl of Clare. The Lord Chancellor of Ireland served as the presiding officer of the upper house. Both chambers were required to pass legislation before it could receive royal assent.

Abolition and legacy

The House was abolished on 31 December 1800 by the Acts of Union 1800, which took effect on 1 January 1801. This followed a controversial campaign involving promises of Catholic Emancipation and the extensive use of honours and patronage by the British government under Pitt the Younger. Its members, alongside representatives from Great Britain, joined the new House of Commons of the United Kingdom. The building on College Green was later sold to the Bank of Ireland. The abolition fueled the development of Irish nationalism and constitutional movements like Repeal, led by Daniel O'Connell, and its legacy is a subject of study in the history of Anglo-Irish relations.

Category:Defunct lower houses Category:History of Ireland (1801–1923) Category:Parliament of Ireland