Dependency of Ireland on Great Britain Act 1719

The Dependency of Ireland on Great Britain Act 1719 (6. Geo. I, c. 5) was an Act of Parliament of the Parliament of Great Britain passed in 1719 (Old Style, 1720 New Style).

The bill had its second reading in the Commons on March 4, 1719, where it was chiefly opposed on the grounds that it appeared to have no purpose beyond increasing the power of the House of Lords. Other objections included an argument that the preamble and the enacting section of the bill were contradictory, and that Ireland had historically had an independent judiciary. It was supported by Joseph Jekyll and Philip Yorke, and carried 140 votes to 83. It was then passed on March 26.^[1]

Section I of the Act noted that the Irish House of Lords had recently "assumed to themselves a Power and Jurisdiction to examine, correct and amend" judgements of the Irish courts, which it held to be illegal. As such, it declared that the Kingdom of Ireland was subordinate to and dependent upon the British crown, and that the King, with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Great Britain, had "full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient validity to bind the Kingdom and people of Ireland". Section II declared that the House of Lords of Ireland had no jurisdiction to judge, affirm or reverse any judgement, sentence or decree made in any court within the Kingdom of Ireland, and that all proceedings before the House upon any such matter was declared to be null and void to all intents and purposes whatsoever.^[2] The Act was repealed in its entirety by the Repeal of Act for Securing Dependence of Ireland Act 1782.^[2]

References

1. ^ First Parliament of George I: Fifth session - begins 23 November 1719, The History and Proceedings of the House of Commons : volume 6: 1714-1727 (1742), pp. 198-218. Online copy Date accessed: 20 September 2006.
2. ^ ^{a b} The Law & Working of the Constitution: Documents 1660-1914, ed. W. C. Costin & J. Steven Watson. A&C Black, 1952. Vol. I (1660-1783), p.128-9