Government of Ireland Act 1920

Background and Context

The Government of Ireland Act 1920, also known as the Fourth Home Rule Bill, was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom intended to provide for the self-government of Ireland. This legislation was a significant milestone in the history of Ireland, as it attempted to address the longstanding issue of Irish self-governance within the United Kingdom. The Act was passed on 23 December 1920 and came into effect on 3 May 1921.

Historical Context

The Government of Ireland Act 1920 was introduced against the backdrop of escalating tensions and violence in Ireland, which were part of the broader Irish War of Independence. The Act was an attempt to quell the growing unrest by offering a form of Home Rule that had been a contentious issue since the late 19th century. Previous attempts at Home Rule, including the First Home Rule Bill (1886), the Second Home Rule Bill (1893), and the Third Home Rule Bill (1912), had all failed to resolve the issue satisfactorily.

Provisions of the Act

The Government of Ireland Act 1920 proposed the creation of two separate jurisdictions within Ireland: Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. Each jurisdiction was to have its own parliament and government, while certain matters would remain under the control of the UK Parliament in Westminster.

Structure of Government

The Act established a bicameral parliament for each jurisdiction, consisting of a House of Commons and a Senate. The House of Commons was to be elected by Proportional Representation, while the Senate was to be partly elected and partly appointed.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland was to consist of six counties: Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone. The Northern Ireland Parliament was given control over domestic affairs, including education, health, and local government.

Southern Ireland

Southern Ireland was to consist of the remaining 26 counties. However, the Southern Ireland Parliament never effectively functioned due to the ongoing Irish War of Independence and the subsequent Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which led to the establishment of the Irish Free State.

Reserved Powers

Certain powers were reserved to the UK Parliament, including matters of defense, foreign affairs, and international trade. This arrangement was intended to maintain the integrity of the United Kingdom while granting a degree of autonomy to the Irish jurisdictions.

Implementation and Impact

The Government of Ireland Act 1920 had a mixed reception and varying degrees of success in its implementation.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the Act led to the establishment of a functioning parliament and government. The first elections were held in May 1921, and the Northern Ireland Parliament convened for the first time on 7 June 1921. The government was dominated by the Ulster Unionist Party, which sought to maintain Northern Ireland's status within the United Kingdom.

The Parliament Buildings at Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The Parliament Buildings at Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Southern Ireland

In Southern Ireland, the Act was largely ineffective. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) and Sinn Féin, the political party advocating for full independence, rejected the Act and continued their campaign against British rule. The Southern Ireland Parliament was convened only once, and its members refused to recognize its authority.

Subsequent Developments

The Government of Ireland Act 1920 was ultimately superseded by subsequent political developments.

Anglo-Irish Treaty

The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 resulted in the establishment of the Irish Free State as a dominion within the British Commonwealth. This effectively nullified the provisions of the Act concerning Southern Ireland. The Irish Free State came into existence on 6 December 1922, leading to the dissolution of the Southern Ireland Parliament.

Northern Ireland's Status

Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom, with its own parliament and government. The Government of Ireland Act 1920 continued to serve as the constitutional framework for Northern Ireland until it was replaced by the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.

Legacy

The Government of Ireland Act 1920 is a significant historical document that highlights the complexities of Irish-British relations and the challenges of governance in a divided society. While it failed to achieve its intended goal of a peaceful resolution to the Irish question, it laid the groundwork for the eventual partition of Ireland and the creation of Northern Ireland as a distinct political entity.

See Also

• Irish War of Independence
• Home Rule
• Anglo-Irish Treaty
• Irish Free State
• Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973